September 16, 2024

Continuous heavy rainfall since September 10 has resulted in severe flooding and landslides across six townships in southern Shan and Karenni (Kayah) States, leaving over 30,000 people affected, according to The Voice of Karenni, a local news source.

The flooding has caused widespread damage in Loikaw, where phone lines have been disrupted. Villages such as Bawlake, Phruso, and Hpruso are experiencing heavy flooding, while homes in Shwe Taung, Shan Phaing, Daw Noke Ku, Chi Kay, and Daw Tama have been submerged, especially along the Sat Ta Balu Creek.

In Moe Bye, the military junta released additional water from the Moe Bye Dam, flooding three villages and one IDP camp, affecting around 5,000 people and damaging over 3,000 acres of farmland. In Hpruso Township, three IDP camps housing over 2,600 people have been affected by the rising water levels, and landslides in Taungkyet have destroyed 25 homes, resulting in fatalities.

Seven IDP camps in Demoso Township were also flooded, impacting over 10,000 people and damaging over 1,000 acres of paddy fields. Meanwhile, in Phruso Township, 30 homes and around 200 people were urgently evacuated due to continuous rainfall, affecting approximately 10,000 people, including IDPs. Additionally, in Shadaw Township, villages such as Sufelaw, Nawpalu, and Bawn Chaung, as well as one IDP camp, were flooded, impacting 1,335 people.