A stunning photograph captured during a heavy downpour on Myanmar's Inle Lake has earned photographer Kyaw Zay Yar Lin the prestigious Mobile Award at the Weather Photographer of the Year 2025 competition. The image, taken with a smartphone, showcases two figures fishing from a boat amid torrential rain, demonstrating the resilience of local fishermen in challenging weather conditions.

The award-winning photograph features a person dressed in orange clothing who demonstrates the traditional rowing technique of the Intha people, an indigenous group native to the Inle Lake region. The rower stands at the stern of the boat with one leg wrapped around a single oar, using this distinctive method to paddle smoothly and fluidly across the lake's surface. This centuries-old technique is characteristic of the Intha fishing culture and represents their deep connection to the lake environment.

Kyaw Zay Yar Lin, a Myanmar-based photographer, managed to capture this remarkable moment despite the harsh weather conditions. His skillful use of smartphone photography technology proves that exceptional images can be created with accessible equipment when combined with artistic vision and perfect timing. The composition effectively conveys both the beauty of traditional fishing practices and the dramatic impact of severe weather on daily life.

The Weather Photographer of the Year competition, sponsored by Standard Chartered, celebrates outstanding photography that captures the power and beauty of weather phenomena around the world. This year's mobile category specifically recognizes the growing trend of professional-quality photography created using smartphone devices, highlighting how modern technology has democratized the art of weather photography.