Strong winds destroyed about 100 houses belonging to resettled villagers in the Pinlaung area of southern Shan State, about 100km northeast of Burma’s capital Naypyidaw.

Strong winds struck twice, on 27 and 29 April, destroying 65 and 33 houses respectively in the village of Leinli.

The villagers had been relocated to Leinli six months ago due to the construction of the Upper Paunglaung Dam project.

Most of the houses were made with bamboo walls and corrugated iron roofs, said community leader Sein Htun. “It’s a new village. These people were moved there as their previous village was to be flooded by the dam construction.”

He said many of the roofs were torn from the houses and about 20 homes were blown down completely.

Soldiers from a local military training school were on hand to help retrieve housing materials and repair the damage, he said. About 60 people were taking refuge with relatives or friends. Meanwhile, community leaders are seeking donations for the affected villagers, the majority of whom are farmers, said Sein Htun.

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