Heavy rains and landslides in Myanmar's southern Tanintharyi region have claimed at least eight lives, with dozens more reported missing, according to local rescue workers. The intense weather system, which began late Friday, has also affected neighboring Thailand, causing flooding in Bangkok over the weekend.

The hardest-hit area is Launglon township, where Hein Htet, a member of the local volunteer group People’s Administration Team, reported the recovery of eight bodies. Among the deceased were three teenagers swept away by a landslide that struck a village near a monastery, destroying 18 buildings. Hein Htet indicated that approximately 20 to 30 people remain missing amid ongoing rainfall, raising concerns about further casualties.

“The situation remains critical as there are still people and villages within the danger zone,” Hein Htet said. Access to affected communities remains difficult, with some reachable only on foot, hampering rescue operations and aid delivery.

Myo Min, chair of the volunteer Dawei Zabuthiri Emergency Medical Service, said hundreds of displaced residents have sought refuge in local monasteries. He described the challenges faced by rescue teams, noting that they have yet to fully cover the disaster area and provide comprehensive assistance. Myo Min estimated the death toll could rise to between seven and 10, with up to 30 individuals missing.

Authorities have not released an official death toll, reflecting the complex situation in an area affected by longstanding conflict, which complicates emergency response and relief efforts. Hein Htet emphasized the dual strain imposed by the natural disaster and the ongoing civil war, underscoring the scarcity of resources available to local responders.

Myanmar, home to approximately 51 million people, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to the nonprofit organization Germanwatch. The situation has been further compounded by significant reductions in international humanitarian aid following cuts to the United States' budget under the administration of former President Donald Trump.

The severe weather and its aftermath highlight the vulnerability of conflict-affected regions to climate-related disasters, and the difficulties in mounting an effective response amid limited resources and ongoing instability.