Phakant jade mines flooded

by Phanida

Monday, 23 June 2008 20:39

Chiang Mai – Some wards of the famous jade mine in Phakant, Kachin State has been flooded. Following incessant torrential rain from June 19 to 22, Phakant, Aye Mya Tharyar, Nhetpyawtaw, Saitaung, Lonekin and Myoma wards in Phakant Township were inundated. "Though it is the first flood of the season, it is severe. The water level is much higher than last year. In 2007 the water reached this level after flooding over seven or eight times," a local resident in Nhetpyawtaw ward, Phakant said. The Uru creek flows from the Indo-Burma border in a northwest and southward direction and then finally flows into Chindwin River. Meanwhile a motorized boat capsized while travelling from Saitaung to Phakant killing a jade merchant. Another person is missing. Floods usually occur in July and have the maximum impact in August and September. But this year floods occurred earlier. "The miners' filled Uru creek with earth dug from the mines making the creek narrower and as a consequence floods occurred. The floods usually last one or two days and then the water recedes," a local resident in Ayemyatharyar said. Floods in Phakant started after 1994 when jade mining companies moved in and dumped earth dug from the mines into the Uru creek. This blocked the water flow in the creek and caused floods, Kachin environmental groups said. "There are rocks in the riverbed of Uru. The smooth flow of water is obstructed when earth is dumped into the creek which inundates Saitaung in the monsoons. The companies dump earth dug from mines in every available space and have filled up the valley. The flow of water was gradually diverted resulting in floods in the rainy season," Ban Yong, Environmental Department In-Charge, affiliated to theThai based Kachin National Development Organization told Mizzima. There are at least 60 jade mining companies operating in Phakant and its adjacent areas around Uru creek.   < Prev   Next >