Torrential rainfall beginning Thursday has triggered severe flash floods and landslides in Mandalay Region, forcing the evacuation of four urban neighborhoods in Mogok Township and inundating communities along major transport corridors in Madaya Township.

Local rescue workers, auxiliary firefighters, and charity groups evacuated residents from Mogok’s Mintada, Myoma, Sipinthaya, and Zayhaung wards as floodwaters rose rapidly throughout Thursday and Friday.

Infrastructure Collapse and Cultural Site Damage in Mogok

Mogok—a major gem-mining center located 124 miles (200 km) north of the regional capital, Mandalay—suffered significant infrastructure damage:

• Religious Site Closure: Flash floods caused the structural collapse of the stairway at the historic Hpaung Daw Oo Pagoda, forcing authorities to close the entrance to the adjacent monastery.
• Landslides and Road Closures: Heavy downpours triggered landslides across the surrounding mountain terrain, collapsing sections of the primary east-west connecting road and disrupting local transportation.
• Control Status: Mogok returned to military control on Nov. 28, after the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)—which had captured the town in July 2024—handed administrative authority back to the regime.

“The rain started pouring yesterday morning, causing speedy flooding. The water level rose up very quickly, and people in flooded areas had to move to safe places,” a rescue worker in Mogok told DVB on the condition of anonymity.

Madaya Creek Overflow and Highway Inundation

Further south in Madaya Township—located 24 miles (38 km) north of Mandalay—the Tanga Creek broke its banks on August 6 due to continuous upstream runoff.

The creek overflow inundated residential areas and sections of the vital Mandalay–Madaya–Mogok Highway, creating travel hazards and localized property damage.

On Friday, the regime’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issued a weather alert warning that the monsoon trough will bring continued heavy rainfall across Mandalay Region, Naypyidaw, and Yangon over the coming days.

Local social welfare associations have urged residents living near steep hillsides, riverbanks, and retaining walls throughout northern Mandalay Region to remain on high alert for additional landslides and rapid water accumulation.