Myanmar – Deadly Floods and Landslides Strike Mohnyin District, Kachin State

The government in Myanmar reports that at least 6 people died in landslides and flooding in Hpakant Township (Phakant) in Mohnyin District, Kachin State.

Heavy rains triggered several landslides and caused the Uyu River to overflow its banks on 22 June, 2018.

According to the government report, “The landslides occurred near Pantin Bridge, Maw-wan Ward, beside No. 1 Main road. The landslides hit the staff quarters on the circular road beside the road to MyoU Pagoda, at the back of staff quarters of the Township Development Affairs Committee and in Mawgalon, Sutaung and Phapyin villages.”

Local media report that the number of fatalities is 11, with a further 6 people injured and at least 70 houses destroyed.

No rainfall records are available for Hpakant. The country’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said that Myitkyina, the capital of the state, and situated around 110 km east of Hpakant, recorded 80 mm of rain in 24 hours to 22 June, 2018.

Hpakant was the location of a massive landslide in 2015 when a man-made hill of waste soil from the nearby jade mine collapsed. It is thought that over 100 people died in the incident.

At least 30 people have died in floods and landslides in Myanmar since early June when this year’s monsoon rains began. Record rainfall fell in Mon State on 17 June. Rakhine state and Magway Region were severely affected by flooding and landslides in early June.

Floods in Mottama, Mon State, Myanmar, June 2018. Photo: Red Cross Society Myanmar

Flood Summary

Last updated: June 27, 2018
Event
Myanmar, June 2018
Date
June 9, 2018
Type
Flash flood, Landslide
Cause
Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall

Locations

A - Mawlamyine
B - Mottama
C - Mudon
D - Pakokku Township, Magway Region
E - Saw Township, Magway
F - Kani, Sagaing Region
G - Sittwe, Rakhine
H - Hpakant

Magnitude

Rainfall level
218 mm in 24 hours
Taunggyi, Shan State - June 9 to June 10, 2018
Rainfall figures from Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology
Rainfall level
188 mm in 24 hours
Sittwe, Rakhine - June 10 to June 11, 2018
Rainfall level
207 mm in 24 hours
Machanbaw, Kachin State - June 9 to June 10, 2018
Rainfall level
124 mm in 24 hours
Magway in Magway Region - June 10 to June 11, 2018
Rainfall level
202 mm in 24 hours
Kyauktaw, Rakhine - June 10 to June 11, 2018
Rainfall level
120 mm in 24 hours
Yay, Mon State - June 15 to June 16, 2018
Rainfall level
297 mm in 24 hours
Mudon, Mon State - June 16 to June 17, 2018
Rainfall level
184 mm in 24 hours
Yay, Mon State - June 17 to June 18, 2018
Rainfall level
68 mm in 24 hours
Mudon, Mon State - June 17 to June 18, 2018
Rainfall level
90 mm in 24 hours
Dawei, Taninthayi State - June 17 to June 18, 2018

Damages

Buildings damaged
300 buildings
Mon State - June 16 to June 19, 2018
Most of the buildings damaged were homes. A school and hospital were damaged in Mottama. The Kyaikthalan Pagoda in Mawlamyine was damaged by a landslide.
Fatalities
19 people
June 9 to June 27, 2018
19 deaths were reported across several states from 09 June to 20 June. On 22 June 6 people died in landslides and flooding in Hpakant Township (Phakant) in Mohnyin District, Kachin State.
Evacuated
50,000
June 9 to June 20, 2018
7500 families were evacuated in Rakhine, 4,000 families in Magwe, 2,500 in Mon.