More than 100 homes and several monasteries were damaged after strong winds swept across the Inle Lake area in Nyaung Shwe Township, southern Shan State, on 26 August, residents said.

The storm struck around 2 pm, hitting Hat Pone, Kan Khaung, and Mine Pyoe villages. In Kan Khaung, about 65 houses were damaged, while roughly 55 homes in Hat Pone were also hit. Some houses collapsed and many lost their roofs, locals said. Damage was also reported in Mine Pyoe village.

“The winds came suddenly with rain. A few houses were badly destroyed, but fortunately no one was injured. Villagers are helping each other with recovery,” said an Inle Lake community movement member.

The incident adds to hardships for residents already struggling with rising water levels in the lake since early August and ongoing repairs from the March earthquake. In some areas, floodwater had already entered the ground floors of two-story homes before the winds tore off their roofs, forcing families to relocate.

“It’s very difficult now. Some people were living upstairs because of flooding, but the winds destroyed their roofs, so they had to move elsewhere. Earthquake repairs aren’t even finished yet,” said a local.

Rain continues in Inle Lake and surrounding highland townships such as Kalaw, Aungpan, and Taunggyi, raising fears of further flooding. 

Meteorologist U Win Naing warned that remnants of Typhoon Kajiki could bring heavy rainfall to eastern and southern Shan State, with isolated downpours in the north.

Meanwhile, community groups said residents are facing additional pressure as the military continues conscription drives and is ordering households to whitewash their homes ahead of the Pagoda festival despite the ongoing disasters.