Residents of Yangon are experiencing worsening electricity and water supply disruptions following the recent earthquake, according to local sources. Currently, most townships in Yangon are receiving only about two hours of electricity per day, while water supply has been completely cut off. The severe situation emerged after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck with its epicenter near Mandalay on March 28, causing significant damage to Yangon’s infrastructure.
Although the Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC) announced on March 29 that they would divide Yangon’s townships into six groups with each group receiving four hours of electricity supply per day, residents report that most areas are only receiving about two hours of power. Some areas are receiving even less than two hours of electricity, with apartment buildings particularly affected by the severe shortages. The situation has created significant hardships for residents, especially those living in high-rise buildings where water pumps cannot function without electricity.
The earthquake has caused extensive damage to power generation plants, substations, power lines, and electrical equipment, preventing normal power distribution throughout the city. While gas-powered generating stations are attempting to produce and distribute electricity, they are unable to meet the current demands of the population. Additionally, the complete disruption of water supply has severely impacted residents’ daily lives, creating significant challenges for basic necessities and hygiene. The authorities continue to work on restoring these essential services, but no immediate solution appears to be in sight as the infrastructure damage requires extensive repairs and maintenance.
