Ye -- Torrential rain has inundated the city market and nearby areas in Ye, southern Mon State, according to local sources.

With rain-swollen rivers dangerously flooding out, residents of Yangyi Aung, River Road (Kannar Lan), Dani Taw, and Chaung Taung were evacuated to other areas.

"The Meteorology department forecasts that the water level at Ye River will rise to the critical mark if heavy rain continues and the tide from the sea rises," said a township authority.

Local people have been disappointed that only relatives and close friends of the SPDC are getting help for moving. 

“Every year during the raining season, heavy rain causes Ye River to overflow its banks and the City Market. There was a heavy rain three days ago but it is getting better now.  There is no severe damage because we are used to this situation and have already prepared (for evacuation).  Our belongings were shifted to other neighbours,” said Ah Soe, a shopkeeper from City Market.

Other townships in Mon State also faced heavy rains, but there have been no reports of deaths or injuries.  Many children in the rural areas suffer from malaria and dengue fever in the rainy season. 

Some local people and environmental groups claim that the severe flooding was caused by deforestation upstream of the Ye (Bee Ree) River.  Mon State also faced a long summer, and the production of betel nut and other crops decreased due to the dry weather.  Many people are aware that flooding occurs as a result of the deforestation but there have been limited efforts taken by the government to reduce deforestation in the area.