Residents of Inle Lake in Nyaung Shwe Township, Southern Shan State, are facing a worsening crisis as severe drought paralyzes transportation and depletes water sources.

Once-thriving lakeside villages like Heyar Ywarma and Min Chaung, which depended on waterways for daily life, are now nearly dry. Rising temperatures this month have accelerated water loss, while landslides have further obstructed critical travel routes, leaving locals stranded.

“Heyar Ywarma village is completely dry, as if it’s on land. Min Chaung is also drying up fast. Traveling by boat is impossible, and even walking is becoming difficult,” a local resident told SHAN.

Beyond transportation woes, the drought is creating a dire shortage of drinking water. Many families are now forced to buy 18-liter water containers for 1,800 kyats each. Farmers, too, are bearing the brunt of the crisis, as agricultural water sources vanish, threatening their livelihoods.

“This is worse than anything we’ve seen before. More villages will suffer from drought this year,” another resident warned.

In Heyar Ywarma, desperate attempts to clear silt and restore water routes are proving costly. Locals are appealing for donations and State Administrative Council (SAC) support to keep their communities afloat literally and figuratively.

Despite the crisis, the authorities announced that the Inle Floating Thingyan Festival will proceed as planned. The festival, known for its vibrant ethnic dances, traditional events, and boat races, is set to take place even as communities struggle with the severe water shortage.

Just months ago, between August and October 2024, Inle Lake and many parts of Myanmar were submerged in devastating floods. Now, in a dramatic reversal, the region faces an extreme drought, leaving residents scrambling to adapt to an unpredictable and unforgiving climate.