Myanmar’s military regime has given the go-ahead for traditional Thingyan New Year festivities this month, despite the rising death toll from Friday’s devastating earthquake in the war-torn country.
In a statement on Tuesday, the junta acknowledged the severe impact of the earthquake, which caused thousands of deaths and widespread destruction across Naypyitaw, Sagaing, Bago, Magwe, Mandalay, and Shan State.
Despite the national mourning, Thingyan celebrations would proceed, though without the usual singing and dancing, the statement said.
Regime chief Min Aung Hlaing had previously ordered grand celebrations for this year’s Thingyan, after UNESCO enshrined the festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage last December.
The junta boss is apparently reluctant to miss this rare opportunity for propaganda, even as many families grieve loved ones, while others cling to fading hope for those still trapped in collapsed buildings four days after the earthquake.
On Tuesday, the regime reported the death toll had risen by 725 overnight to 2,790, indicating fatalities will rise sharply over the coming days. Tuesday’s official count also showed 4,439 injured and 413 missing.
This year’s Thingyan Festival is due from April 13-16, with the death toll expected to grow significantly until then.
On Monday, the Thai Embassy in Yangon cancelled its Songkran celebrations scheduled on Wednesday. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has also scrapped Thingyan celebrations in Mongla, aka Shan State Special Region 4, in eastern Shan State.
Meanwhile, many are lamenting the extensive quake damage to monasteries, which traditionally provide shelter, food, and education for the needy. Over the past four years, monasteries have played a central role in sheltering and feeding the 3.5 million-plus people displaced by fighting. Friday’s earthquake destroyed or damaged hundreds of monasteries across Mandalay and Sagaing and caused significant fatalities among monks.
The parallel National Unity Government has declared a unilateral ceasefire in quake-hit areas to support relief operations. The Brotherhood Alliance of three ethnic armed groups – the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Arakan Army – has also called a month-long unilateral ceasefire from April 1 to April 30. The regime has, however, continued conducting airstrikes on rebel-held territories and said it would carry on fighting.
