Fourteen people killed in Hpakant after heavy rain triggered landslides

Fourteen people killed in Hpakant after heavy rain triggered landslides

Up to fourteen people including a two-year-old child have been killed in the landslides in the Kachin State's Hpakant jade mine area.

“On the day of the heavy rain, the landslides occurred. People died. Only a body was recovered yesterday among the bodies that are difficult to recover. I haven’t heard anything today,” said U Thaung Zan, secretary of Hpakant Township National League for Democracy (NLD).

Floods, landslides, and river bank collapses continue to take place due to heavy rain.

“Most of them (the deceased) were in their 40s. Both men and women were included. Most of the recently recovered bodies are miners so most of them are men. Four women were included. Over ten bodies have been recovered. A total of 14 bodies have been recovered including a two-year-old child,” U Thaung Zan continued.

Missing people have been reported and over 60 houses and roads have been damaged due to heavy rain since June 22, according to him.

“Some bodies were recovered after they fell inside the water or creek but some people fell suddenly inside the earth and some of them were caught in the river bank collapse so they fell deep inside as if they have been covered with cement and their bodies can’t be recovered. There are also people who were crushed to death after their houses collapsed. We can’t estimate the number of missing people. Most of the recovered bodies are ownerless. Around seven or eight people have been injured,” he added.

Local residents said flash floods, river bank collapses, house collapses, and landslides triggered by heavy rain that occurred at the same time in Hmaw Wan, Seik Mu, Hpar Pyin, Hway Khar, Hpakant, and Lone Khin areas under Hpakant Township since June 22. The Uru Creek was also flooded due to heavy rain.

“It’s sunny today, but it rained a little in the afternoon so we are worried. The Uru Creek has returned to normal now. All the roads have been damaged. Even my house has collapsed. Some houses collapsed entirely while only half the structure of some houses has collapsed. The river bank near my home is collapsing now. We are worried about the rain,” said U Naw Taung from Hpakant.

Myitkyina resident U Zee Sar said travellers had to spend the night on the road after heavy rain caused flooding in Shahtu Zup Village, which led to flooding on Hpakant-Myitkyina Road.

“We couldn’t leave the whole day yesterday due to flooding at Shahtu Zup Village, Hpakant Township. We had to spend the night on the road. We arrived back to Myitkyina today. All the travellers travelling to Hpakant or Myitkyina had to spend the night on the road,” said U Zee Sar.

Local residents said over ten people have been killed in the landslides in Seik Mu Village last May.

Local residents and miners have been frequently killed in floods, landslides, and river bank collapses in Hpakant jade mine area every year.

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