Friday, 21 October 2011 18:45 Phanida
Chaing Mai (Mizzima) – As of noon Friday, 58 people are confirmed to have drowned, with hundreds others still missing, in the Shwechaung stream in the east of Pakkokku Township, Magwe Division, according to the Immigration Department.
The deaths are blamed on flash flooding caused by torrential rains in the region. A further 320 people are still missing as a result of landslides and flood waters, a local official said.
Residents in the area report at least 500 houses from an illegal slum quarter called Kyatthit, located beside the Shwechaung stream, were swept away by the flood waters.
“There was a landslide along the bank of the stream, about 400 or 500 yards in length in some places. About 15 to 20 feet of soil eroded and the houses were swept away by the water. In total about 500 houses [were effected],” said one resident.
Four relief centers in local monasteries have opened to care for flood victims.
Residents further state that transportation in the area has been severed, as a concrete bridge over the stream, an important link on the road connecting Pakkokku with Mandalay, suffered heavy damage. Pakkokku’s fire brigade is building an emergency bypass.
On Thursday evening local authorities in Pakkokku warned that because of heavy rain there could be small effects around downtown areas of Pakkokku.
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