After heavy rain prompted flash floods, two bridges were washed away earlier this week in Kayin (Karen) State, leaving the Kay-in Seikkyi to Payathonzu Road inaccessible.
U Myo Aung, general administrator of Kya-in Seikkyi township, said a 100-foot-long temporary bailey bridge (also known as the Kwingyi Bridge) on milepost 20/01 and a 120-foot-long temporary bailey bridge (the Mekkalar Bridge) on milepost 30/01 washed away on the night of July 26.
“The road is inaccessible after the two bridges were washed away. We are gathering a bridge special repair team and equipment to repair them. People have been using boats and rafts to cross the water as there is a strong current. Vehicles can’t cross the water. Vehicles travelling to Payathonzu [Three Pagodas Pass] are travelling via Thanbyuzayat,” he said.
“The situation wasn’t like this last year,” he added.
Kayin State’s Department of Roads and Bridges also announced that the Kay-in Seikkyi to Payathonzu route is temporarily out of service.
Lower areas in Kya-in Seikkyi township have also been flooded, according to U Myo Aung.
The Relief and Resettlement Department reported that as of July 21, more than 91,000 people across 29 townships in Magwe, Sagaing, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions, as well as in Kayin State, have been displaced, and at least two people have died due to floods and landslides.
Ma Hae Ci Chaung Bridge on the Union Highway connecting Yangon to Myeik and Kawthaung also collapsed on the night of July 26 and the road has been shut down.
According to a report issued by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on July 27, upper Sagaing Region, Bago Region, Kachin State and Kayin State should all expect further heavy monsoon rain.
