Heavy early monsoon rains have caused water levels to rise more than a foot in the earthquake-stricken Inle Lake region of Nyaungshwe Township, worsening conditions for thousands of residents still reeling from last month’s disaster.

Many of the affected villagers are living in makeshift shelters or tents after their homes were destroyed in the quake. With the rains intensifying and floodwaters creeping into low-lying areas, fears of further displacement are growing.

“Some houses collapsed during the earthquake and haven’t been rebuilt. People are still living in tents, and the rain gets in. It’s hard to sleep, hard to stay dry. Now, with the water rising, some are living on makeshift stilts,” said a young resident from the lakeside community.

Recovery efforts have been hampered by a critical shortage of carpenters, slowing the reconstruction of damaged homes. The situation is exacerbated by the unusually early onset of the monsoon season.

“This year, the rains came a month early, and the water level is already rising. Farmers are especially anxious. The rice has only just begun to sprout. Last year, floods wiped out the entire harvest, and we fear this year will be the same. Between the flooding and the earthquake, we’re being hit from all sides,” the resident added.

Ywar Ma village, which had previously dried up and become inaccessible, is now submerged once again. A local volunteer involved in rescue operations expressed frustration at the slow pace of recovery, noting that many damaged homes remain unrepaired.

While local authorities and the Shan State government have stepped in to provide bamboo, construction materials, and food supplies, many families continue to face severe hardship.

In neighboring Taunggyi Township, relentless rainfall has caused flooding in parts of the urban area.

The recent earthquake damaged around 3,500 homes across some 30 villages in the Inle Lake region. Water shortages persist in nearly every village, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea have been reported in communities including Kaylar, Nam Pan, Za Yat Gyi, and She Wa Gyi.