Yangon, April 18 (IANS): At least 11 people were killed and 134 injured during Myanmar's annual four-day Thingyan Water Festival which started earlier this week, sources said.

The festival marks the beginning of the Burmese New Year and is observed as the public holiday. People of Myanmar believe that celebration of the water festival can wash away evils and sins, and prepare them for a prosperous year ahead.

The casualties were in connection with 50 accident cases triggered by overload, drug and alcohol consumption and over-speeding, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

According to Yangon region's traffic police office, during last year's water festival in the former capital, 15 were killed and 178 injured.

There were over 200 big and small water-throwing pandals erected in Yangon this year along major roads, including Pyay, Kabaraye Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake roads

Police forces and security personnel were deployed at larger and medium pavilions to ensure the safety of all revellers during this year's water festival held between April 13 and 16.