UN rights envoy stranded by landslide in Kachin State
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A convoy carrying the United Nations special envoy for human rights, Yanghee Lee, was stranded on Myitkyina-Bhamo road due to a mountain landslide on July 22.
Torrential rains in Kachin State led to the landslide on the road past Khala mountain, in Dotphoneyan Township, blocking the route for two miles all around, according to local car drivers.
"I have seen landslides in four places on Khala mountain. Landslides blocked at the entrance and the exit of the mountain. The mass of land was in heap twice the size of two houses. Big trees had fallen down,"said driver Zaw Myo Win.
Clearing work began immediately but due to the size of the landslide, drivers speculated it would not be finished until later today. Some 70 other cars were also stranded.
"The UN human rights envoy is waiting for the clearing of land slide in Dotphoneyan. I have heard that she may return Bhamo and the next day will continue her inspecting tour. The clearing works are still being carried out. Until now, she has not retuned yet. If the clearing work has not been finished, she may stop over in Bhamo,"said Kachin government official.
The new envoy arrived in Kachin State on July 21 and met with government officials. In the afternoon she visited Waingmaw, Thagara, Thayettaw internally displaced (IDP) camps. In the evening, she proceeded to Bhamo.
On July 22, she visited three IDP camps and the local prison and met with local community organisations. At 2 p.m. her convoy was stranded on her return journey to Myitkyina due to the landslide.
Meteorologists have warned of potential flash-floods and landslides after a combination of heavy monsoon rains and the knock-on effects of Typhoon Rammasun, in the South China Sea, on July 20.
Heavy rain on July 18 and 19 has caused flooding in some areas near the Thandwe River, which reached swelled to seven feet above the high-water mark, causing some residents to abandon their homes.
“Heavy rain in Putao, Myitkyina, Kani, upper Sagaing and Chin regions as well as rain in lower Myanmar has caused heavy flooding. We have to monitor the situation of river flooding,” said Kyaw Moe Oo, deputy director of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).
Residents spoke of heavy rainfall in many parts of lower Myanmar, especially the Ayeyawady delta region that was prone to seasonal flooding.
Many streets of the commercial capital Yangon were flooded by the rains due to poor drainage, causing long traffic jams and congestion that has become a regular feature during the heavy monsoon months.
