Flooding worsens in Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw townships, submerging homes and markets

Photo - A scene of flooding in Minbya Township on July 9 (APM) By Mizzima Flooding has worsened in Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Kyauktaw townships in Rakhine State as of today (July 11), submerging homes and markets, according to local sources. Due to recent heavy rainfall, river water from the upper reaches of the Kaladan and Laymyo rivers, along with tidal fluctuations, has caused flooding in these townships. In the upper areas with mountain runoff, flooding is a cause for concern, said U Myat Htun, director of the Rakhine Human Rights Defenders Association, to Mizzima. "In the Kaladan River, there is flooding in the Kyauktaw area, and in the Laymyo River area, there is flooding in Minbya and Mrauk-U. In some villages, houses are submerged. In Minbya, the markets are all submerged, and the markets have had to relocate and sell elsewhere. In Minbya, all markets have been closed. Heavy rain on the 10th and today, the 11th, is concerning in the upper areas, but not so much in the lower areas. In the upper areas, there is a lot of mountain runoff," he said, describing the current situation. Although houses have not been destroyed and buildings have not collapsed, most homes are submerged, and water levels are unstable due to tidal fluctuations, he added. "In some places, many small houses are submerged, and water has risen onto the monasteries. I am in Ann town, and Ann town and its surroundings are flooded, and I cannot go anywhere," a local resident experiencing the flood told Mizzima. Due to continuous heavy rainfall in Rakhine State, flooding has worsened, and in over 100 villages in Minbya, Mrauk-U, Maungdaw, Ann, Kyauktaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung townships, nearly 100,000 people are affected by the floods, according to local sources and data from the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO). Among the aforementioned townships, Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Kyauktaw are experiencing the most severe water level rises. While some areas are only submerged up to the waist, many villages are flooded above head height, with hundreds of homes submerged. In the flood-affected areas, there are shortages of boats, tarpaulins, drinking water, medicine, and food. Residents say that due to the military junta cutting off phone lines following the resumption of fighting in Rakhine State in 2023, it is difficult to request rescue assistance. Although rescue and support activities are being carried out by civil society organizations, including the Arakan Army (AA), in the flood-affected areas, there are many unmet needs, and many villages remain without rescue arrivals, according to affected residents. There have been some deaths, and incidents such as road and bridge damage, landslides, and cliff collapses have occurred, the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) of the United League of Arakan also announced on July 9. Furthermore, in most townships, severe flooding is being experienced, and residents are facing difficulties due to road closures for travel to and from Ann, Sittwe, Taungup, and Mae townships, according to information sources. For the past few days, the Laymyo River has been flowing rapidly, and flooding in the lower areas has worsened, causing damage to some roads and bridges and flooding and damaging agricultural land, according to local residents. U Win Naing, a meteorology observer, recently stated that extremely heavy and continuous rainfall is possible in Rakhine State, especially around Sittwe, Maungdaw, and Kyauktaw, within the next three days. U Win Naing, a meteorology observer, said on July 8 that Rakhine State could experience the highest flood levels in 20 years, and starting from today (July 11), flash floods and river overflows could begin to cause severe damage, with waterlogging potentially lasting for about two weeks.