Homes in Myanmar’s Inle Lake Wetland Sanctuary in southern Shan State, already affected by severe flooding due to Cyclone Ragi, suffered further damage from strong winds in recent days, creating an urgent need for rehabilitation support, according to local residents.

On the evening of 3 November, strong winds and rain impacted several villages in the western part of Nyaungshwe Township’s Inle area, including Kan Hla village.

A local resident said, “Small huts were destroyed, and some larger homes had roofs blown off. The wind hasn’t let up, and floodwaters still haven’t fully receded.”

About 40 homes were destroyed, forcing many residents to take shelter in nearby homes and monasteries.

Another local resident said, “We didn’t receive sufficient support during the flooding, and now the strong winds have returned, making conditions even tougher.”

Heavy rain from Cyclone Ragi in September led to widespread flooding across Naypyitaw, Mandalay Region, Shan State, and Bago Region, affecting approximately 170 villages in the Inle area. Despite this, locals report minimal assistance from the junta, leaving residents to rely on self-rehabilitation efforts while facing the threat of additional weather events.

On 5 November, strong winds and rain also hit parts of Mandalay Region and the Naypyitaw area, according to social relief groups. There are no reports of major damage, but residents remain on alert.

“Winds came through around 9:30 pm on 5 November, followed by five minutes of heavy rain. There’s been light rain this afternoon, too,” a Mandalay resident said.

The low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal is causing heavy rain and strong winds across several regions. Meteorologist U Win Naing cautioned that further severe weather might affect townships in southern Shan and Karenni States, northern Bago Region, and Ayeyarwady Region from 6 to 8 November.

Myanmar’s Meteorological Department, under the State Administration Council (SAC), issued a forecast at 7 am on 6 November, predicting potential heavy rain, strong winds, and hail in Tanintharyi Region, Kachin State, and Rakhine State.

The National Unity Government’s (NUG) Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MOHADM) also issued a warning for unseasonal rain across Myanmar, with heavy rainfall expected in Rakhine and northern Shan States, Magway Region, Mandalay Region, and Naypyitaw on 7 and 8 November.