Evacuations begin after floods and landslides caused by rain
Evacuations began after the regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology warned residents to move from low-lying areas as rivers broke their banks in Shan State, Karen State, Mon State, as well as Bago Region, on Monday. Media in the Karen State capital Hpa-An reported evacuations on Monday after the Thanlwin River overflowed due to the heavy rains and mountain runoff.
Residents of Shwegyin Township, located 60-133 miles (96-214 km) north of the region’s capital Bago, told DVB that over 20,000 people had been evacuated to nearby monasteries as the Shwegyin River overflowed on Sunday. “The floodwaters are as high as an average adult’s waist,” an aid worker told DVB.
Residents in Bilin Township of Mon State told DVB that over 2,000 had taken refuge at eight temporary shelters after flooding began on July 25. An aid worker told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the floodwater was as high as eight feet (2.4 meters) and impacted over 10,000 residents of Bilin, which is located 69 miles (111 km) north of the Mon State capital Mawlamyine. Read more
Two more political prisoners die due to lack of medical attention
The Mandalay Sangha Union announced that Pathan Thia, an ordained Buddhist monk, died while receiving treatment for cancer at the Mandalay General Hospital on Friday. The 36-year-old monk was serving a 15-year sentence at Mandalay’s Obo Prison after being convicted of violating Section 50(j) of Counter-Terrorism Law on Feb. 21, 2022.
The Mandalay Sangha Union stated that the monk was tortured during his detention and did not have access to “adequate treatment” for his cancer. He was sent to the hospital on Oct. 15, 2023. Another political prisoner serving a seven-year sentence under the Counter-Terrorism Law at Hpa-An Prison in Karen State, died from injuries sustained during an alleged beating by 30 prison guards on July 21.
This brings the total number of political prisoners who have died due to a lack of adequate medical treatment this year to 18, according to the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM). At least 126 political prisoners have died in detention since the coup on Feb. 1, 2021, according to DVB data. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has documented 22,222 political prisoners still locked up since 2021.
One civilian killed in northern Shan State’s Kyaukme
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) stated on Sunday that one civilian was killed by an artillery strike on Nawngpain village of Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State, on Saturday. Kyaukme, located 68 miles (109 km) southwest of the regional capital Lashio, came under TNLA control on Aug. 5.
“I think the regime’s counteroffensive to retake Kyaukme will rely heavily on artillery, drones and airstrikes just as it did in Nawnghkio,” Zin Yaw, a Burma Army defector who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) after the 2021 coup, told DVB. The regime reclaimed Nawnghkio from the TNLA, located 32 miles (51 km) southwest of Kyaukme, on July 16.
The TNLA reported that two civilians have been killed and 15 others have been injured by airstrikes on Kyaukme since July 4. It also claimed that airstrikes injured three civilians in Nawnghkio on July 26. Residents told DVB that the regime has reinforced its positions in Nawnghkio, and near Gokhteik Bridge, located 40 miles (64 km) south of Kyaukme. Regime forces have struck Kyaukme with artillery since July 26. Read more
News by Region
KACHIN—The Naga Students’ Organization (NSO) stated that there was growing hostility by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) toward Naga people in a statement released on July 22. The NSO described recent actions taken by the KIA as “unprovoked acts of aggression.”
The KIA reportedly detained 16 members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) near Talu and Lungyone villages on July 18. The NSO states that the two villages are a part of ancestral Naga lands west of the Tanai River.
MANDALAY—Residents told DVB that six civilians, including four children, were killed and at least five others were injured during a drone attack while sheltering at a monastery in Myatshu village of Natogyi Township on Saturday. Natogyi is located 60 miles (96 km) south of Mandalay.
A member of the People’s Administration team under the National Unity Government (NUG) told DVB the regime carried out a drone attack. A People’s Defense Force (PDF) member said that regime forces have carried out drone attacks in Myingyan, Natogyi and Taungtha townships.
SHAN—Released prisoners from Kyaukme Prison told DVB that there is one death per day inside and that 100 prisoners lack access to adequate food and sanitation. Kyaukme, located 68 miles (109 km) southwest of the regional capital Lashio, came under TNLA control on Aug. 5.
A former inmate told DVB on the condition of anonymity that his cell, measuring barely 20 feet (6 meters) in width, held around 30 prisoners. All are being denied visitation rights and legal representation, he added. A request for comment from the TNLA went unanswered.
Residents of Kalaw Township in southern Shan State told DVB that over 10 homes in Wards 3 and 4 have been flooded since Sunday. Kalaw, a hill town popular with visitors and tourists, is located 44 miles (71 km) southwest of the state capital Taunggyi.
A resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the rain had triggered mountain runoff but noted that the situation is not “as severe as it was last year.” At least 100 residents were killed by landslides in Kalaw in August. Another resident said evacuations are underway.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,460 MMK)
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