YANGON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 31,874 people from 6,997 households were affected by flooding caused by heavy rains in Kyaikmaraw township in southern Myanmar's Mon state, as of Wednesday morning, according to the township's administrative body.

Heavy rains starting from Aug. 20 continued to pour down on the township, causing flooding in 17 village tracts and two wards, it said.

Two shelters have been opened, housing more than 370 people as of Wednesday. Authorities are providing basic food and drinking water to the affected people, it added.