Friday, 17 August 2012 13:44 Mizzima News
Monsoon rains continue to damage crops and disrupt lives in Burmese townships and villages, with heavy rains in central and eastern Burma destroying thousands of acres of rice.
Farmers hit hard by the heavy rains told Karen News that a total of 9,500 acres of farms in Kawkareik and Kyain Seikgyi townships were destroy by the latest flooding.
“All of our paddy fields are completely swamped,” said one farmer in the affected area. “The water level is still high and has not dropped yet.”
Since July 22, the rains and the flooding have prevented many farmers from working their fields.
“Paddy [rice] can only survive for about 10 days under water and will be destroyed if swamped – our paddy is damaged beyond saving even if the floodwaters drop now,” the farmer said.
Monsoon season in Burma normally runs from late April to early October. Floods and landslides are common at this time and the severe weather conditions include cyclones.
Earlier this month the Karen State Chief Minister, Zaw Min, said that as many as 6,000 people have been left homeless after severe flooding in Hpa-an Township.
Residents said the flood warning levels in the Salween River have been rising since July and had started to flood and swamp nearby houses.
Other areas in Karen State affected by flooding include Hlaingbwe, Kama Maung, Shwe Gone and Kyain Seikgyi townships, according to Karen News.
In recent weeks, flooding has occurred in the Irrawaddy, Pegu, Tenasserim and Rangoon areas and in Karen, Mon and Arakan states.
Monsoon rains continue to damage crops and disrupt lives in Burmese townships and villages, with heavy rains in central and eastern Burma destroying thousands of acres of rice.
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Farmers hit hard by the heavy rains told Karen News that a total of 9,500 acres of farms in Kawkareik and Kyain Seikgyi townships were destroy by the latest flooding.
“All of our paddy fields are completely swamped,” said one farmer in the affected area. “The water level is still high and has not dropped yet.”
Since July 22, the rains and the flooding have prevented many farmers from working their fields.
“Paddy [rice] can only survive for about 10 days under water and will be destroyed if swamped – our paddy is damaged beyond saving even if the floodwaters drop now,” the farmer said.
Monsoon season in Burma normally runs from late April to early October. Floods and landslides are common at this time and the severe weather conditions include cyclones.
Earlier this month the Karen State Chief Minister, Zaw Min, said that as many as 6,000 people have been left homeless after severe flooding in Hpa-an Township.
Residents said the flood warning levels in the Salween River have been rising since July and had started to flood and swamp nearby houses.
Other areas in Karen State affected by flooding include Hlaingbwe, Kama Maung, Shwe Gone and Kyain Seikgyi townships, according to Karen News.
In recent weeks, flooding has occurred in the Irrawaddy, Pegu, Tenasserim and Rangoon areas and in Karen, Mon and Arakan states.
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