Residents of Namhkam Township in northern Shan State said they are increasingly worried that drinking water sources and farmland around the site of a deadly explosives depot blast could have been contaminated.
The explosion took place on May 31 in Kawngtat Village, Namhkam Township. According to the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which controls the area, the blast was caused by the accidental detonation of explosives used in mining and stone quarries.
Locals said explosive residue and ash from the fire spread across the village after the blast, settling on vegetable fields and falling into wells and streams. Residents now fear the contamination could affect both drinking water and crops.
A woman from Kawngtat Village told Shan Herald that villagers were unable to inspect their farms immediately after the explosion and only later discovered white powder coating their vegetables.
“Right after the explosion, we couldn’t go and check our farms. When we finally did, we found white powder stuck all over the vegetables we had planted. There’s no one testing whether those leaves are toxic or not. So now, before cooking, local people are soaking vegetables in salt water first and washing them thoroughly,” she said.
A local social assistance worker also urged residents to boil drinking water carefully before use and to wash vegetables thoroughly before cooking and eating them.
“People are still using wells and streams near the blast site. But no one knows for sure whether the explosive dust that fell into the water, or the residue left on trees and vegetables, could be harmful if people continue using and consuming them. That’s why everyone is worried. We want to urge locals to boil water thoroughly before using it, and to wash vegetables in salt water before cooking and eating them,” he told Shan Herald.
Residents are also struggling to rebuild homes damaged in the depot explosion, with many still facing severe financial hardship, according to a man from Kawngtat Village.
“Everyone’s needs are different, but financial hardship is something we’re all dealing with. When houses are completely destroyed, rebuilding becomes incredibly difficult. No one has been able to return to work and earn an income yet. Most villagers were never financially secure to begin with. For very poor families, reconstruction still hasn’t even started,” he said.
Although donors have provided food, shelter materials and basic supplies for Kawngtat villagers, locals said there is still a major shortfall in cash assistance for those affected.
“There are donors helping us. They’ve brought food and tarpaulin sheets. But the cash donations that were promised still haven’t reached us. With the current funds, we can only provide around 500,000 MMK to each household. So, we’re still hoping for additional financial support. With the amount of money we have now, we can’t really buy what’s needed in any meaningful way,” he explained.
According to figures compiled by rescue teams on the ground, the explosion killed 70 people, injured more than 100, and left over 600 people homeless. In total, around 15 villages and urban wards were affected by the blast.
Although locals bore the brunt of the explosives depot disaster, they said they still have not received adequate assistance nearly a month after the explosion.
