Buildings Collapse As Heavy Snow Hits Burma's Far North

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Buildings Collapse as Heavy Snow Hits Burma's Far North

Heavy snowfall in northern Kachin State on Sunday caused the collapse of several buildings belonging to a customs office in the Panwa Valley, near the border with China, according to local residents.

"I've never experienced anything like it," said one resident of the area. "The snow came down like heavy rain, causing a number of buildings to collapse. No one was injured, but travel in and out of the area has been blocked for days."

Meanwhile, in nearby Chipwe Township, local residents said that transportation was slowed by snow and hail.

"People are having trouble getting around because of all the snow and hail on the road," said an employee of Asia Wall, a local company, adding that poor travel conditions have prevented outside aid groups from reaching the remote area.

According to a resident of Bamaw Township, several older people in the area have reportedly gone into shock due to the extremely cold weather.

Earlier this month, Tun Lwin, a retired director-general of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology in Rangoon, predicted that a cold wave would hit the region four times between January and March.

Full story: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/KHII-8DA92K?OpenDocument

-- reliefweb.int 2011-01-21