Myanmar is reeling from the aftermath of a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the Sagaing Region on March 28, killing at least 4,212 people and injuring more than 6,500 nationwide. Among the hardest hit is Southern Shan State, where aftershocks measuring magnitude 5 and above have caused widespread destruction.
Communities in the scenic Inle region, already battered by the September 2024 floods, now face a new crisis. Townships such as Panglong (ပၢင်လွင်း), Aungban, Taunggyi, Mong Nai, and Mawk Mai have reported severe damage, with nearly 100 additional lives lost including infants and thousands left without shelter.
Local aid workers estimate that more than 2,500 houses were destroyed in the Inle region alone, with over 1,300 rendered uninhabitable. Nearly 40 villages across 11 village tracts have been affected in this area, with Kay Lar and Heya village tracts among the worst hit.
“Some villages have cleared debris and begun rebuilding. But for many, basic necessities are still out of reach,” said a young volunteer from Inle, speaking to SHAN. “There’s no electricity. People urgently need solar lights. In some places, only five families received aid and they were chosen by lottery.”
In Aungban Township, a hotel collapsed during the quake, trapping 25 people and killing at least 10. Swift action by rescue teams saved the remaining survivors. In Nampang Village, Panglong Township, about 100 homes were flattened. Two children under 10 were among the dead.
“A lot of houses are still in ruins and urgently need rebuilding,” said a local from Nampang. “Even though Pa-O militia forces are stationed nearby, they haven’t offered any help.”
Despite remarkable efforts by communities to support one another, aid workers on the ground report that assistance from government authorities and international organizations remains scarce.
Shan State is in urgent need of coordinated relief efforts, especially for those still waiting in the shadows of tragedy, without electricity, shelter, or a clear path to recovery.
SHAN
