Earthquake Devastates Villages in Sagaing Township, Urgent Aid Needed

A recent earthquake near Yekha village in Sagaing Township has left local communities grappling with damage and destruction. The quake rocked the entire region, but particularly affected Yekha and the nearby village of Kyauktar. This disaster has further strengthened the fight for humanitarian assistance.

Yekha village sustained mostly superficial damage in comparison to Kyauktar, where the aftereffects were much more catastrophic. The earthquake completely destroyed a three-story monastery and three buildings in the village of Yekha. In Kyauktar, it resulted in the demolition of 101 residences. Seventy-four other houses in Kyauktar were damaged, with an estimated 75 percent damage.

The two villages are deeply connected, geographically and socially. Perhaps not surprisingly, this deep bond has inspired an uncommonly strong collective response from area residents. A local resident from Kyauktar noted the challenges the community faces:

“Kyauktar and Yekha are closely connected, and this earthquake has caused widespread damage. People have been donating rice and oil to help. Kyauktar has always faced challenges accessing drinking water, and the earthquake has made it even harder. While donated clean water has alleviated some immediate needs, accessing water for both consumption and livestock is still very difficult.”

Aside from structural damage, the quake wreaked havoc on beautiful Yekha Lake. The tsunami lowered the lake’s maximum water depth from 22 feet to 20 feet. Aftershocks compounded the issue, causing an additional drop of about a half-foot. Their boats, which used to float in the lake, are now stranded on dry land, officials warned. This shift can be attributed to the lower water levels.

“After the earthquake, the lake’s water depth dropped by about one and a half feet. Subsequent aftershocks caused another half-foot decrease, leaving the lake now only 20 feet deep. Boats that were once afloat are now stranded on the land,” an official stated.

Local aid organizations are busy figuring out just how much damage has been done. According to local reports, 175 homes have already been destroyed in just one village, Kyauktar. The Phyusin Myitta social assistance association has been diligently reporting on the destruction and coordinating relief efforts.