Buildings not designed to withstand earthquakes will not be permitted, says Shan State Minister

U Khun Htun Phu, a member of the Shan State government and Minister for Construction and Urban Development, stated that buildings constructed in Taunggyi City will not be permitted if they are not designed to withstand earthquakes. "After an earthquake, if buildings are to be constructed, the Construction and Urban Development Department will conduct an inspection. The design must be able to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake. Otherwise, it will not be permitted. Recently, it is no longer allowed. This applies to high-rise buildings, single-story buildings, and two-story buildings alike. This is not just for these buildings, but for all structures built within the jurisdiction of the Construction and Urban Development Department. This includes offices and schools. If the design structure cannot withstand earthquakes, it will not be permitted. This is official," said U Khun Htun Phu, a member of the Shan State government and Minister for Construction and Urban Development. Regarding the frequent landslides in mountainous areas, the minister said, "In my opinion, I am also an engineer. Normal rocks are fine as they are. When an earthquake occurs, there is a shock action. There may be loosening of connected parts. There may be loosening of parts connected to the ground. There may be a slight gap. In the meantime, when it rains heavily, a layer forms, and it can no longer bear its own weight. That's how it happens, and it's likely to happen that way. It's not supposed to happen in the dry season. When it rains, a layer forms between the rocks and the soil. If that layer loses its adhesion, the rock cannot support its own weight and falls. If the geology team comes to inspect, their report will include the current situation. If we know, we will inform the public." It was also learned that large rocks that fell from the mountain are being cut and cleared in a timely manner. "Now, the team from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation in Naypyidaw will conduct detailed measurements and inspections. Then, they will submit a report. They will report their findings and tell us how to proceed, whether there is danger or not, to what extent there is danger, and how to remove it. This will be included in the report. It will also include how to protect the public from danger below. The government will continue to work on this. The government will cooperate and proceed based on the submission of their report," said U Khun Htun Phu, a member of the Shan State government and Minister for Construction and Urban Development. It was also learned that an initial inspection will be carried out only on the mountainside of Shwe Mulahto Mountain on the southern side, where the current incident is occurring.