Incessant heavy rain triggered landslides, which hit the Chipwe dam construction site of N’Mai Hka River in Chipwi, eastern Kachin State, Northern Burma on July 21 said local sources.

Severe landslides occurred in two places, where Chinese workers are constructing underground tunnels in two mountains near Chipwi town, locals said.

People are yet to ascertain whether there were casualties. As soon as the landslides began, Chinese workers ran to safer places, said sources close to them.

Chipwi dam is being built by Chinese state-owned, China Power Investment Corporation (CPI), Burmese Asia World Company and the Ministry of Electric Power-1 of Burma’s ruling junta since 2007.

The project will generate an estimated 2,800 MWs of electricity to sell to neighbouring China.

In May an explosion in Hpimaw mines in Chipwi Township left 16 Chinese mine workers dead and 20 injured.

Local environmentalists have warned that the Myitsone dam construction, 20 miles from Myitkyina the capital of Kachin State will affect millions of people living downstream during floods. The construction site is less than 100 kilometres from the Sagaing fault line, raising the risk of earthquakes.

Kachin people inside and abroad and the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) have been demanding a halt to the Myitsone hydropower project but the junta has not paid any heed and is going ahead full steam with the project.

The Myitsone dam is being constructed jointly by CPI, Asia World Company and No.1 Electric Power department of the junta.

Landslides occurred around Waingmaw Township after heavy rains in the state.

The highway to Kambaiti and Sadung towns from Waingmaw is still blocked due to the landslides, said residents.

“Yesterday, they tried to clear the road the whole day using bulldozers but could not finish. There are landslides in other places too,” said locals.