Unusual Weather: At Least 14 People Killed By Strong Winds Across Myanmar

Violent storms which saw hailstones the size of golf balls rain down across Myanmar have killed at least 14 people and injured 18 in recent days, according to a report by UNOCHA on Monday. UNOCHA said the figures are expected to change as more information becomes available. The extreme weather also toppled pagodas and damaged thousands of buildings. The freak storms struck across five states on Friday and Saturday after weeks of heat wave temperatures regularly topping 40C (104F). Six of the victims died in Yay Tha Yauk village in the central region of Mandalay after flash flooding. Other regions that were struck included Sagaing and Magway as well as the states of Shan and Chin. In Kachin State, strong winds destroyed shelter and camp structures of internally displaced people. Meanwhile, 1,700 pagodas in the cluster of Kakku pagoda compound were damaged by gale-force winds in the southern state of Shan on Friday night.

The weather bureau has urged the people to be alert on possible gale-force wind, squall, lightning strikes and thunder storm. Meteorologist Dr. Tun Lwin said the formation of thunderclouds in northwest Myanmar is due to depression coming from Bangladesh. Heavy rain is likely to be accompanied by wind blowing at a speed of 30 mph on land, alongside lightning strikes and hailstones, he added. 

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