Six drown during flood in Kachin State’s Laiza
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) radio station Laiza FM reported that at least six civilians drowned and 116 homes and temporary shelters were destroyed by a flash flood in Laiza town of Kachin State on Monday. The KIA headquarters of Laiza is located on the Burma-China border 63 miles (101 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina.
A man staying at the Je Yang Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp told DVB on the condition of anonymity that all 96 temporary shelters located inside the camp were swept away by the flood before the water receded on Tuesday. Laiza FM reported that only one body has been recovered following the flood, which affected four IDP camps and two villages.
Many IDPs have taken refuge inside the Je Yang church. Laiza residents told DVB that they lack power as the flood destroyed transmission poles. At least 16 people have been reportedly killed in Yangon, Shan State, and Bago Region during Tropical Storm Wipha, which brought heavy rain that caused flash floods and landslides in Burma since July 22.
Over 100 homes ‘inundated’ by water near Inle Lake
Residents of Nyaungshwe Township in southern Shan State told DVB that over 100 homes have been inundated by floodwaters up to one feet (30 cm) in villages around the Inle Lake since July 27. This is the second flood since June when 30,000 acres of crops were affected and 70 percent were ruined. Nyaungshwe is located 18 miles (28 km) south of the state capital Taunggyi.
“Many residents in our village still haven’t recovered from the earthquake and now [there are] floods,” a resident of Kaylar village told DVB. Kaylar is where 31 bodies were recovered and 435 homes were destroyed by the quake, according to DVB data. The Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO) stated that nearly 100 residents from 25 Inle villages were killed and a total of 3,255 homes were destroyed on March 28.
Khin Maung Latt, the general secretary of a group called Save the Inle Lake, told DVB that they are planning to dredge up the silt and sand out of the lake to prevent future flooding. Sources told DVB that about 200 villages in Nyaungshwe endured floods triggered by the remnants of Typhoon Yagi in September.
Regime suspends three sections of privacy law
Regime media reported that Min Aung Hlaing suspended Sections 5, 7, and 8 of the Protection of Personal Privacy and Personal Security of Citizens Law on Aug. 1. This allows regime authorities to search a citizen’s premises without a witness, conduct surveillance or tracking, or detain individuals for over 24 hours without a warrant from a court.
“They’ll lift the suspension only when the parliament reconvenes [after elections],” Kyi Myint, a High Court lawyer, told DVB. The suspension of the three sections of the law was carried out by the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), which had power transferred to it after the state of emergency was lifted by Min Aung Hlaing on July 31 so elections could be held by December.
Nay Phone Latt, the National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister’s office spokesperson, told DVB that the suspension is to justify violations of personal privacy and security. The privacy protection law was enacted by the National League for Democracy (NLD) government in 2017. It had been suspended during the state of emergency from Feb. 1, 2021 to July 31, 2025.
News by Region
YANGON—Residents of Kyauktada Township told DVB that the Maha Bandula Park Street, which had been blocked since the coup on Feb. 1, 2021, reopened to pedestrians on Monday. The street runs alongside Maha Bandula Park and the Yangon Region High Court.
A resident of Kyauktada Township told DVB on the condition of anonymity that barricades blocking the street were removed after Min Aung Hlaing visited the High Court on Aug. 4. But vehicles are still restricted from entering the street.
Residents told DVB that monthly rents in some townships across Yangon have more than doubled from 200,000 to 450,000 MMK ($44-100 USD) since the March 28 earthquake. The U.N. stated that the quake damaged or destroyed more than 52,000 homes nationwide.
A resident of Insein Township told DVB on the condition of anonymity that renters are required to sign a rental contract for at least six months and can expect to pay a rent increase of 50,000 to 100,000 MMK ($11–22 USD) upon annual renewal.
TANINTHARYI—At least 20 civilians have been killed during fighting between regime forces and resistance groups in Pala town of Palaw Township since July 24. Palaw is located 97 miles (157 km) south of the region’s capital Dawei.
“The civilians were killed by airstrikes and artillery,” a member of an unnamed resistance group told DVB on the condition of anonymity. He also claimed that at least 30 airstrikes have been carried out on Pala town. Residents from five villages have fled their homes.
KACHIN—Residents of Hpakant Township told DVB that two civilians, including a three-year-old child, were killed and 11 others were injured by artillery in three villages on Monday. Hpakant is located 94 miles (151 km) west of the state capital Myitkyina.
A resident of Nyaungbinkone village accused regime forces of “deliberately” targeting civilians in their homes. Sources told DVB that at least 60 residents have been killed and over 100 others have been injured since regime forces reached Lonekhin village on May 28.
CHINLAND—The Maraland Defence Force (MDF) told DVB that it has been constructing a 49 mile (80 km) long and 21 feet (640 cm) wide road connecting Paletwa Township to the Indian border since July 17. The total cost is expected to be 400 million MMK ($89,000 USD).
A merchant in Arakan State told DVB that this road would improve trade and reduce commodity prices. Residents of the 14 townships under Arakan Army (AA) control in Arakan State rely on trade with India for basic food items, medicine, and fuel via Paletwa, which was seized by the AA in January 2024.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,415 MMK)
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