By Aye Min Soe
Yangon, 1 Aug — Landslides triggered by torrential rain continued to cause severe damage Saturday in western Myanmar’s Chin State, leaving major roads and more than 60 homes destroyed in the capital Haka, which has been left cut off from surrounding areas.
President U Thein Sein said Saturday that the government would expedite efforts to clear roads and send emergency goods to the Chin State.
The city was left facing food shortages after a landslide Friday severed the Haka-Gangaw Road, a vital route for supplies into the city.
There have been no casualties reported in the city so far, according to a resident.
Haka has experienced landslides from 24 June, according to a volunteer helping with evacuation efforts.Damage to roads caused by the landslides has hindered emergency operations, he added.
Flash floods in Mindat, in the state’s south, destroyed seven bridges including two bailey bridges and four suspension bridges Friday.
Firefighters also evacuated a family from a two-storey building in Falam, in the state’s north, because of landslide danger.
The government’s weather bureau on Saturday forecast continued heavy rainfall for Chin and Rakhine states and Magway region.
Weather expert Dr Tun Lwin on Saturday warned residents of northern Shan stated to be alert to landslides and flash flood as heavy rain fall are expected there.
The monsoon is moderate in the Andaman Sea and South Bay of Bengal and strong to vigorous elsewhere in the bay, according to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.