In China-Burma boarder, due to the heavy rains across Northern Shan State, there have been mountains erosions and floods causing many large trees to fall and blocking thousands of trucks and vehicles in some areas, reported travelers.

“The heavy rains have been non stop. It rained the whole night last night. Luckily, I left Muse for Lashio yesterday and arrived well by motorbike. Even so, because the water level of the Nam Kut rose up till man waist, I had to pay 5,000 Kyat ($ 5.5) for help to cross the stream together with my motorbike,” says a biker.

On August 13, it was raining for the whole night causing mountain erosion, tree falls, and floods on the Union Highway between Kutkhai and Nam Phak Kar and thus blocking the vehicles from the town center of Kutkhai till Asia World Gate outside the town. Likewise in Muse area, several vehicles are blocked between Nam Phak Kar and Shu Khin Thar Hill, said one of the highway drivers.

“The traffic lines are adding up to two to three lines. Coming out from Nam Phak Kar, near Shu Khin Thar Hill, there are two places of hill erosions. Down from those parts, there is a flood of the Khai. On the highway near Shu Khin Thar Hill, a skidded 12-wheel-truck is blocking the ways and so no minibus, Dina, or Hilux can drive through. Only small vans can go through with some pushing. I had to pay 5,000 Kyat for help for my car while on my way to Lashio. About 2,000 vehicles are blocked in that area. If Asia World Gate let anymore car pass, it is likely that people will have to spend the night there,” says a van driver from Lashio.

Likewise, during early August, because of the heavy rains, there are severe conditions from the flood of Nam Paw and the Namtu (Dutthawaddy) and the transportation had to stop. A biker was reportedly killed by the flood on the bridge over the stream near the entrance of Hsenwi.

Cited from the News of Shan Herald: http://www.burmese.panglong.org/news/93-2008-08-03-06-48-39/3411-2012-08-15-09-27-18.html Wednesday, 15 August 2012, 16:24