KAREN STATE – The Salween River has risen by around five and a half feet in Hpa-an Township and the people affected by the flood are in need of emergency rescue but it is said that the rescue works are mainly led by civilians.
The Salween River has been rising in level since September 10 and reached around five and a half feet above the warning level of Hpa-an Township on September 13. The meteorological department informed that the water level is expected to rise by around two more feet in the coming day.
Currently, including Hpa-an Town, there is flooding in the villages in the township with a need for emergency rescue. However, there are still no official rescue works and the rescue works are being led by civilians only. An evacuation center has been opened at the No. 1 sports center in Hpa-an and another center has been opened at the high school as the number of people affected by the flood is increasing.
“Even though the rain stopped, the water level keeps rising. As for the number of people affected by the flood, there are hundreds of families who have yet to receive a place as per the latest number. The water level is still rising. There is not much rescue efforts available. Mainly, the people are helping each other. It seems like the water level may rise even further. Including Hpa-an, there are not many people carrying out rescue works in the township. Very few people can go out the town (to carry out rescue works),” said a resident.
Residents shared that the junta council is not carrying out any rescue works in Hpa-an Township and instead, it is the volunteer teams and civilians who are working together to rescue fellow civilians.
