Water levels in the Nan San Phoo stream in the western part of Demoso Township, Karenni State, have dropped and the water has turned brown, causing hardship for about 100,000 people that rely on it.
After the 28 March earthquake hit central Myanmar, the stream’s water level dropped by nearly four feet (1.2 metres) and the water became brown and muddy, according to U Zaw Min Htike, an official with Kyay Latt Myay, a local civil society organisation (CSO).
He said: “After the earthquake, the water level in Nan San Phoo stream dropped by about four feet. Since then, it’s turned a brownish colour, but it isn’t just a change in colour, it is because a lot of mud and sediment is mixed with the water.”
U Zaw Min Htike explained that Nan San Phoo is a vital stream for local communities, as around 100,000 people, including both locals and IDPs, rely on it.
He said: “Nan San Phoo Stream is a crucial water source for IDPs, villagers, and local resistance forces. The locals also use it for farming. In other words, the stream is really important for the daily life of these communities. It’s not just the people in Demoso—communities all along Nan San Phoo stream depend on it. In total, about 100,000 people rely on this stream for drinking, daily use, and agriculture.”
Currently, although the water level in the stream has dropped, it is not completely dry. However, the water is so muddy it has been entirely unusable for about a week.
Water levels in the stream normally drop, but it has never dried up and the water has never turned muddy like it is now, according to a local who spoke to NMG.
He said: “This stream usually drops a bit in the summer, but it’s never dried up. It’s near natural springs, so it typically keeps flowing. But it’s likely the spring collapsed during the earthquake, causing the water level to drop and the water to become polluted.”
Locals are concerned that the stream might completely dry up. A woman who farms near the stream said that if that happens, it could severely affect agriculture and create hardships for local farmers.
Also in Demoso Township, to the west of Demoso Town the earthquake caused a landslide that created a large sinkhole about 100 feet (about 30 metres) in depth and diameter. The sinkhole continued to collapse in on itself until 1 April and it has been causing concern in nearby communities.
