Those fleeing rising water levels in northern Shan State are seeking refuge in local monasteries and with relatives.

More than 200 people have been forced to flee their homes following flooding caused by heavy rains in northern Shan State’s Lashio Township.

The displaced have been staying at local monasteries as the water levels in the Nam Yaw stream have risen, causing flooding in Enai village on the Lashio-Namtu road and Lashio’s No. 20 ward, SHAN’s field reporter Nang Seng Nom said.

Volunteer groups and the township’s chapter of the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD) delivered food and other necessities to the flood victims on July 31.

Civilian volunteers, firefighters, and members of the People’s Militia Force and the Burmese military have provided transportation assistance to locals.

Additionally, many acres of paddy fields have been damaged by the rising waters of the Nam Yaw stream.

“Some farmers already planted their paddies, but some didn’t. The water levels in the stream began to rise on July 30. Then the water entered the villages and the paddy fields on July 31. Paddy fields have been underwater for three days,” Lashio SNLD party chairman Sai Aung told SHAN.

Six tractors are still underwater in Enai, and while around 100 residents are staying in monasteries, no people or livestock have lost their lives in the flood in the village, headman Sai Aung Myint told SHAN.

More than 160 people from the city of Lashio fled flooding and are now staying with relatives. Paddy fields in Mong Ting, Piang Lao, Wan Piang, and Nawng Mo villages have been damaged by floods.

SHAN reported that a local man disappeared when his car was carried away by floodwaters last month.

According to the Burmese government’s information department, a total of 239,213 people in eight regions and states were affected by flooding in July. As of the end of last month, nearly 120,000 flood victims were staying in rescue camps throughout the country.