UN says death toll 'to rise'

Sagaing is one of four districts in Myanmar to be declared a disaster zone by the government

The death toll from floods in Myanmar is expected to rise over the coming days, the United Nations has warned.

Four western regions have been declared disaster zones after heavy floods, caused by monsoon rains, left at least 27 people dead.
But rescue teams have not yet reached many areas and are still awaiting reports on the worst-hit regions.
In the neighbouring eastern Indian state of Manipur, a landslide buried a village, killing at least 21 people.

Heavy rains are normal in monsoon season, but many people in Myanmar - also known as Burma - told the BBC that the rains were particularly strong in recent weeks.
Wind and rain from Cyclone Komen added to damage.
On Sunday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said some 156,000 people were affected by the floods in 12 districts but the total could be "significantly higher".

The UN also said:

• there was "extensive damage" to camps housing 100,000 Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state
• the city of Kalay, with 400,000 people, is accessible only by air
• at least 100 houses were destroyed by landslides in Chin state
• Haka town in Chin state, with a population of 40,000, is inaccessible by road due to landslides

On Saturday, Mg Mg Khin from Myanmar's Red Cross told the BBC the country was facing "a big disaster".