Several homes have been inundated in the eastern area of Nar Nat Taw Group (13) in the Kayah State’s capital Loikaw after heavy rain began to fall on Wednesday (October 3) morning.
“We are facing difficulties, of course. We can’t go to work. We don’t even know how to cook our meals. Our living depends on our daily income,” said U Kyaw Htay, a street vendor from Group 13.
The ward has no electricity after the transformer has been inundated and the local residents are facing difficulties in cooking their meals since the firewood is wet as well, he continued.
The flood-affected residents are staying at the homes that have not been inundated. The local residents are concerned over the entering of dangerous animals and the potential death of domestic animals due to the flooding.
Daw Ma Phyu from Naung Yar Extended Ward said the flooding is caused by garbage blocking the diversion channels of Nar Nat Taw Dam have been blocked with garbage and the water outlet was built in a high location.
“The water outlet is high so water couldn’t come out. The water has many residues and it’s blocked with garbage,” she said.
U Kyaw Htay said they did not worry about the flooding when it was raining heavily a few days ago but now they may face livelihood difficulties and health issues if the rain continues to fall.
Around 11 households had to evacuate after the rain caused the floodwater to rise up to the height of a man’s neck in the east of Nar Nat Taw Group (13) at around 11:30 pm on October 3. Around 40 households from War Yi Kaw Khu Village, around 50 households from Pe Kinn Kaw Khu Village, and around 20 households from Min Su Ward have also been forced to evacuate after floodwater entered their homes.
Many wards have been inundated in Loikaw.
