MyoTaw: Flood Victims Tell Min Aung Hlaing to Clear Drains Before Going to Space

Flood victims tell Min Aung Hlaing to clear drains before going to space

July 30

While coup leader Min Aung Hlaing claims Myanmar is working to launch its own satellite into space, people suffering from heavy rains are criticizing him, saying flood issues should be addressed first.

The self-proclaimed president and coup leader appears disconnected from the lives of ordinary citizens, instead showing enthusiasm for selecting Myanmar's first astronauts to go into space.

"I don't know if he truly doesn't realize how bad the living conditions of ordinary people are, or if he's just content doing whatever he wants as a military leader. It's as if all the wealth accumulated during the coup has run out, and there's no value left. Even compared to raising a child, by now that child would be old enough to go to school. I don't know what he has done during this period. I don't know if the people are far from him, or if he is far from the people," a flood-affected resident from Shwepyitha Township told MyoTaw.

Currently, continuous heavy rainfall in Yangon Region has caused flooding in low-lying wards, including Insein, Shwepyitha, and North Okkalapa townships, due to clogged drainage systems.

"It floods every year, but it's never been as bad as this year. This year is really severe. The area around Yoyatai Market is flooded. So, we only know about 'space' as far as high ground goes. Before Min Aung Hlaing goes to space, I just want to say: clear the drains and take care of the flood victims first," a flood-affected resident from Insein Township told MyoTaw.

On July 27, Min Aung Hlaing attended a ceremony at the Myanmar Space Agency in Hlaing Township, Yangon Region, to hand over and demonstrate technology projects completed within the coup government's 100-day plan.

At the event, Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar would select its first astronauts, but he did not disclose the final number of people to be selected, the project budget, or the implementation timeline. The Myanmar Space Agency was established in 2025 and has been cooperating with Russia and China on space technology.

Photo: Flooding at Yoyatai Market in Insein.

MyoTaw News Channel