Floods, triggered by incessant heavy rain lashed Jadeland, the green stone producing areas in Hpakant Township in Kachin State, Northern Burma killing several people and washing away a bridge and several houses, said local sources.

On Sunday, the only bridge in Hpakant Township, used to cross the Uru Hka River broke into two, killing at least five people, said residents.

“The junta administration is still trying to find the bodies but have failed so far. Some were said to be stuck inside their cars,” said eyewitnesses.

Come every monsoon torrential heavy rain washes away homes and kills people in Hpakant because jade mining companies are mindlessly dumping soil into the Uru Hka River, forcing a change in the course of the river and triggering floods in the jade mining areas.

The bridge gave way when two trucks, three motorcycles and three people were crossing over. The flood waters hurled them into the swirling river below, eyewitnesses recounted.

People are now crossing the river by boat, while some are trying to use the old bridge.

On 13 July floods were triggered after incessant rainfall, destroying a number of houses in Mashi Kahtawng, Nga Pyaw Taw, Aye Mya Taya and Seng Tawng villages.

Flooding of Hpakant has been increasing at an alarming rate, worsening the situation every year because of the rampant dumping of soil by jade companies, alleged residents.

However, since yesterday the water level of the Uru Hka River has fallen, said local people.