Heavy rain inundated many parts of Yangon yesterday, causing flooding and snarling traffic, while strong winds caused damage to shops and houses in Hline Township.
There were also reports of uprooted trees and many falling branches in Hline Township.
The rain and wind started in the afternoon, causing some zinc roofs to be bent or ripped off from about 70 shops out of the 160 shops in the Yadanabon market at the corner of Kamayut station road and 11 Street, Ward 3, Hline Township, while some trees along 11th street were uprooted.
In ward 1 of the same township, two electric power poles fell down and water flowed into the compound of No. 24 Basic Education Primary School. In ward 5, near the old station, a three-feet wide, 25-feet tall tree fell across the railway tracks, temporarily stopping rail traffic.
“We didn’t have time to run when there was sudden heavy rain with strong winds. Some fell down as they walked, while some trees fell down. A couple of shops were totally destroyed. A lot of damage was caused as strong winds blew near the ground for about three minutes while three cars were damaged by falling trees”, said U MyintOo, who lives on Station Road.
A police official said there were no reports of serious injuries.
“We went to help as soon as we heard the news. We informed the relevant authorities and worked together in clearing the debris. Some houses were damaged, but no one was hurt”, said Padaukchaung police station Inspector Tin NaingZaw.
The heavy rain flooded parts of some townships and the strong wind felled trees across the Yangon region. Roofs of some of the buildings in the staff quarter compound of National Rehabilitation Hospital on Mindhamma Road, Ward 6, Mayangon Township were damaged and trees along Shwehintha Road, Ward 11, in Hline Township had broken branches or were uprooted. A landslide occurred along a 20-feet long, seven-feet high wall on Bagaya Road, Kyuntaw South Ward in Sanchaung township, according to an announcement from the Yangon Region Police Force.
The underground car park of Dagon Center 1 in Myaynigon, Sanchaung Township became submerged. Members of the West District Fire Brigade, the township fire brigade, SanchaungMyoma police station personnel and four fire engines were helping to pump out the water, it is learnt.
West Shwegonedine Road in Bahan Township also became flooded, causing traffic jams. BahanMyoma police station personnel and traffic police were seen clearing up the snarled traffic. In townships where such occurrences happen regularly, police personnel, officials of the respective townships and local residents worked together to resolve the issues.—ZawGyi (Panita) Photo: Myanma Alinn