Villagers in southern Burma’s Tenasserim Division say that they are facing food shortages as swarms of rats devastate their crops, according to a report by Karen News. So far, four villages in Tenasserim Township, east of Mergui, have been affected, the report said, citing P’doh Saw Htee Wah, the township secretary for the Karen National Union. Around 729 people in 136 households have lost some or all of their crops, he said, adding that the destruction is spreading. A similar rat infestation, caused by the rare flowering of bamboo, occurred in Chin State five years ago, resulting in widespread hunger.