Wild weather hits several parts of Myanmar

Wild weather has hit several parts of Myanmar over the last two days with gale-force wind toppling around 1,700 ancient pagodas and destroying several houses with power cut in some areas in Shan state-south, according to official reports on Sunday.

Two thirds of a cluster of 2,478 ancient pagodas built in the 16th century were destroyed. No loss of life was reported in the incidents.

The affected tourist attraction sites were closed by the local authorities as clearing of debris is underway.

However, one man was killed when a lamp post fell on him in another gale-force wind attack, accompanied by a squall and hailstorm, in Ywangan township in the state.

Similarly, such hailstorm wrecked villages in Sagain and Yezagyo townships, up roofing hundreds of houses, schools and monasteries and killing several draught cattles and other farm animals.

In Monywa of Sagaing region, another woman died when her hut was crushed by a falling tree.

Meteorologists warned that there is risk of gale-force wind, accompanied by squalls and hailstorm that will occur over the weekend days.

They further warned that a huge cumulus rain system, caused by El-Nino, has formed over the country.