Nearly 200 families are affected in Mong Nai township alone.

Townships throughout southern Shan State do not have enough drinking water, locals say.

Mong Nai, Kalaw, Yawnghwe, Ywangan, and Pintaya townships are struggling during this year’s hot season, according to MPs, youth and government representatives.

Sai Moon Lane, a state parliamentarian for Mong Nai Constituency (1) said that three villages in his area don’t have sufficient water: Wan Yae, Wan Kon Lon and Wan Loi Khio.

“We are trying to get water in Wan Yae village. Together with the remote area development team, we are fixing the water pipeline between Nam Huu [where there is a water source] and Wan Yae,” he told SHAN. “We are going to build a new pool for storing water,” he added.

According to MP Sai Moon Lane, Wan Kon Lon village is facing some of the greatest difficulties in getting water because it is located on a hillside.

“We built a water well in Wan Kon Lon village last year. Even though we tried to dig deep, no water came out,” he explained. “We built two water wells this year, but only one well has water. This well cannot afford to provide enough water for the whole village. We have to build a water pipeline from [the source at] Nam Huu. It is about 10 miles from the village.”

After this pipeline has been constructed, Sai Moon Lane said, water can be delivered to Wan Loi Khio. He added that he would also report the current challenges to the state’s chief minister.

There are up to 60 families in Wan Yae, 100 in Wan Kon Lon village and about 25 in Wan Loi Khio—all are affected.

There Shan State Environmental Conservation Group said that people in Shan State are facing droughts and extreme heat due to deforestation, and that this year’s water shortage is more severe than previous years.