By Hlaing / MPA

Heavy rainfall and overflow from mountain streams have caused significant flooding in the Inle Lake Area, located in Nyaungshwe Township, Southern Shan State, affecting approximately 170 villages, according to residents and rescue volunteers.

Since 9 September 2024, floodwaters from the towns of Aungpan, Kalaw, Nyaungshwe, Shwenyaung, and He Hoe have surged into Inle Lake, causing water levels to rise rapidly and one-story houses along the lake have already been submerged.

“The water level keeps rising without showing signs of receding. This is because the floodwaters from the towns of Aungpan, Kalaw, Nyaungshwe, Shwenyaung, and He Hoe are all accumulating in the lake. The flooding could worsen. Flood victims are currently taking refuge in monasteries and higher ground, but even the ground floors of the monasteries are now flooded. Space is becoming scarce,” Ma Phu Phu, a volunteer assisting flood victims told MPA.

“In addition to the flood-affected locals, there are also many refugees who fled from Loikaw and Northern Shan State due to the ongoing conflict. With the floods now hitting their new environment, these refugees are facing even greater hardship,” said a male volunteer.

Key sites in the Inle Lake area, including the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Nampan Market, and Nampan Hospital as well as around 170 villages in the village tracts of Nanghuu, Mine Thauk, Ywargyi, Thapyaypin, and Inpawkhon are reported to be submerged, and there is a growing need for food, medicine, and clean drinking water.

“In some villages like Nampan, Pauk Pa, Yele, Kyartaw, and Inpawkhon, some houses only left the rooftops remain visible. The Nampan Hospital has also flooded, and patients have been evacuated. MPT phone lines are unreliable, often cutting in and out, while other SIM cards are not working at all,” said a resident.

The region has now been without electricity, phone service, and internet for about five days, making it difficult to confirm casualty reports.

“There could be deaths, though most of the residents are experienced in dealing with floods. However, reports suggest strong currents in the western part of the lake near Intein, where some people have reportedly died or gone missing,” said Ma Phu Phu.

On September 12, 2024, it was reported that 10 refugees from Loikaw, who had taken shelter in Intein village, were swept away by floodwaters and drowned. However, due to ongoing internet outages, MPA has been unable to verify this information.

Since August 2024, the water levels in Inle Lake have been steadily rising and it could take up to two or three months for the floodwaters to recede so it will create hardships for basic needs, according to locals.

“Every year, during the monsoon season in Waso and Wakhaung, the water levels rise. Normally, it takes time for the water to go down, but with this much flooding, it’s going to take much longer,” said another resident.

In July 2024, severe flooding also affected other parts of Myanmar, with tens of thousands of people displaced across 12 townships in four states and regions.