Four villages in Myebon Township and three villages in Ann Township, as well as Kanhtaunggyi town, have reportedly been without electricity for nine days as of August 3.

Ko Han Min Hlaing, a local resident, said Covid-19 patients receiving medical treatment at the Ru rural station hospital and locals in Ann Township were in trouble due to a power outage since July 26.

“Locals are facing many difficulties because they have been without electricity for nine days. There are more than a dozen Covid-19 patients being treated at Ru Hospital, and there is a shortage of oxygen due to the lack of electricity,” he said.

Ko Han Min Hlaing added that there are 13 Covid-19 patients at the hospital, three of whom are receiving oxygen thanks to generators from the village.

Power outages have been reported in Pauk Tu Taung, Thayet Taung, Tut Ywar, Kyaytaw villages, as well as Kanhtaunggyi town in Myebon Township, and Ru, Dokkan and Ru (chin) villages in Ann Township.

“I want electricity to be restored as soon as possible. Here it is difficult for patients with Covid-19 infections to receive oxygen with generators,” said Ko Maung Cherry, a resident of Kanhtaunggyi town.

DMG repeatedly contacted the Ann Township electrical engineer and other officials by phone to enquire about the power outages, but they could not be reached.

A fire broke out at the Ann Township power substation on July 26, causing power outages involving the Ann and Kanhtaunggyi substations.

Electricity was restored in downtown Ann and at the military’s Western Command headquarters two days later, but some villages in Myebon and Ann townships, along with Kanhtaunggyi town, are still without electricity.