Chinland Defence Force (CDF) - Matupi issued a statement on 15 August advising people not to travel on the Matupi to Hakha road in Matupi Township, Chin State, following a landslide.

The road between the villages of Lonhlaw and Zakan in Matupi Township was blocked for 40 feet after a landslide fell onto it on the evening of 14 August. Landslides have also blocked other sections of the road.

Naing Jun Kein, a CDF-Matupi official said: “It is anticipated that three other locations may also experience landslides due to mountain runoff. The specific landslide mentioned earlier took place between Lonhlaw and Zakan Village.”

He also said that the landslides blocking the Matupi to Hakha road may lead to an increase in commodity prices and possible food shortages in Matupi Township.

A Matupi resident said: “The Matupi to Hakha road is primarily used by locals for trading and transportation, with traders relying on it for transporting food products.”

The resident also emphasised that if the road remains damaged, it will inevitably cause difficulties for the city's inhabitants and an increase in commodity prices. There is also a worry that the blocked road may lead to shortages of essential foods and fuel in Matupi.

There has been almost continuous rainfall in Chin State during August. The damage caused by rainfall and landslides has been exacerbated because drainage channels on the side of the road have not been properly dug, according to the Matupi resident.