NAYPYITAW, 14 August 2021, (TON): At least four people have died in the ruby-mining town of Mogok as a result of flooding and landslides caused by days of heavy rain.

Casualties were reported in both the eastern and western parts of the town, while rural areas of the township in Mandalay Region have also been severely affected, according to local sources.

Houses located near a stream in the eastern part of Mogok were so badly flooded that a number of them collapsed or were washed away, rescue workers told media.

Hein Htet Maung of the Myanmar Social Welfare Organization (Mogok) said “we managed to save six of the seven people who were in one house that came down. Unfortunately, one lady died.”

He added “the rain has been very heavy. The whole town is flooded, and there have also been landslides in rural areas.”

The collapse of a stone wall in Kyat Pin, in the western part of the town, killed two women and a 5-year-old child, other sources reported.

Residents of Mogok said that the rain, which has been falling almost continuously since early July, grew much heavier over the past two days.