In Karenni State’s DeeMawHso Township, due to the blocking of trade routes into the area for over a week, the situation has led to a shortage of fuel, both petrol and diesel. Therefore, the fuel price rise makes it increasingly difficult for locals to afford fuel, according to local sources.

“We’ve been out of fuel for about four days now. Before the shortage, one steel drum cost about 1.2 million kyats, which means one liter was around 5,500 kyats. But now, you can’t even buy it by the steel drum. We can only buy it with small jerry cans, like one or two cans. Currently, the price has reached up to 7,000 kyats per liter,” a fuel vendor in DeeMawHso explained.

The same vendor said that starting from June 16, fuel sales have been limited and restricted due to the shortage.

A shop owner on the western DeeMawHso stated that military checkpoints and inspections by junta forces, ongoing military operations, and damaged transportation routes have really disrupted the flow of fuel and other goods into Karenni State.

“The road conditions are terrible. Large trucks like Faws have damaged the roads badly. Now they’re not even being allowed to go, I think. Even if they wanted to, they couldn’t make it. The roads are too slippery, so no one travels anymore,” the shop owner said.

Due to the closure of trade routes, many fuel vendors in DeeMawHso have temporarily closed their shops.

Before the trade routes were blocked, petrol was sold at 5,000 kyats per liter and diesel at 5,500 kyats. Now, petrol prices have risen to 7,000 kyats per liter, and diesel has climbed to 7,500 kyats per liter.