18 internally displaced people (IDPs) who were sheltering on the banks of the Inntein Creek in Inntein Village, Nyaungshwe Township, Southern Shan State, drowned after being swept away by floodwaters.
The 18 IDPs, who had fled fighting in Loikaw Town, were preparing dinner on the bank of the Inntein Creek when a deluge of water ran off the mountain into the creek and swept them away, on the evening of 12 September.
A woman close to the victims said: “While they were cooking in the kitchen, the water rose, and 18 people were swept away.”
At the time of reporting only nine bodies had been found, according to news agencies based in southern Shan State.
Currently, there is no detailed information about any of the victims. Water levels are still rising in Inntein Village, which is hampering rescue efforts.
86 residents displaced from the Loikaw Town wards of Minelone, Htudungantha, and Ywartanshey were sheltering in Inntein Village.
IDPs who have fled from Karenni State to Shan State have also been affected by flooding.
A Karenni IDP sheltering in the Inle Lake region in Shan State said: “There are Karenni IDPs in the Inle Lake region. I don’t know the exact number. IDPs are sheltering in monasteries. Now, even the monasteries are flooded. Everyone is facing difficulties."
Most townships in Southern Shan State are still experiencing flooding, but damage to lines of communication lines is making it difficult for rescue teams to provide assistance.
