The lack of incoming cargo trucks has led to a shortage of basic foodstuffs in Puta-O in Kachin State, – also affecting Nawngmun town, which relies on Puta-O for supplies, according to local sources.
Townships in Putao District, such as Nawngmun and Machanbaw, normally get their staple food from Puta-O. However, as no cargo trucks have been arriving in Puta-O for a month, these areas are experiencing shortages.
A local from Nawngmun said, “Trucks used to travel between Puta-O and Nawngmun about once a week. Now they have no goods to sell. We haven’t been able to afford garlic and onions for a long time and now they aren’t even available. We have to beg for small quantities from those who have some.”
Since the beginning of July, floods in Kachin State have damaged the Myitkyina-Sumprabum-Puta-O road through erosion and landslides. According to the residents of Puta-O, this damage has continued for over a month.
To avoid shortages in Puta-O, goods are now transported by air, resulting in a tripling of prices. This price increase not only affects the residents of Puta-O, but also the residents of Nawngmun, who rely on these supplies, according to the residents.
In addition to the shortage and high prices of goods, the shortage of fuel in Puta-O has meant that busses between Puta-O and Nawngmun no longer run daily, but only once a week, Nawngmun residents report.
A resident of Nawngmun explained: “There are no goods and hardly any people traveling. Diesel costs 60,000 kyat per gallon. It takes about 15 gallons for a trip between Puta-O and Nawngmun. The bus operators say it’s no longer profitable and the trucks only come about once a week.”
Due to the difficulty in obtaining fuel and its high price, the cost of a round trip between Nawngmun and Puta-O has risen from around 100,000 kyat to almost 400,000 kyat. This has brought travel to a standstill and caused financial difficulties for the locals.
Given the shortage of basic foodstuffs in Nawngmun, the locals currently rely mainly on locally produced rice.
The residents of Puta-O are also facing difficulties due to road damage, communication problems and rising commodity prices.
Sent by KNG.