Following torrential rains overnight in Mogoke, known as the capital of Burma's 'Ruby Land', a surging Yeani Chaung River – which flows throw the town – swept away a house located near its bank in the ward of Aung Chan Thar, according to locals.

"Yes the house collapsed and was carried away by the river at about 6 or 7 a.m. in the morning today after the water overflowed the river's bank. But nobody lived in the house and it frequently collapsed whenever there was a flood," Hla Oo, a local resident of Mogoke, told Mizzima.

The flood in Mogoke is the third this year, though so far there have been no reports of casualties related to this latest incident.

Mogoke, a valley town surrounded by hills in Mandalay Division, is famous for its rubies and ruby mines. However despite being rich in natural resources, the town is impoverished, subjected to irregular electricity and victim of an improper drainage system – which is partly responsible for the recurrence and severity of floods in the town.