By Jar Seng / MPA
Due to continuous heavy rainfall, floods have occurred in the Pontha Chaung and Yin Chaung areas of Minbya Township, Rakhine State, and there is an urgent need for food, medicine, and other essential supplies for the affected residents, according to the Yin Chaung Youth Association.
From September 10 to September 15, 2024, persistent rainfall caused the water levels of the surrounding streams to rise, leading to flooding in the Pontha Chaung and Yin Chaung regions of Minbya Township.
As a result of the flooding, houses, rice fields, livestock, and consumer goods were swept away, and water reservoirs were submerged, creating difficulties in accessing clean drinking water.
“In our Yin Chaung area, it has been raining continuously for several days. Houses, stored rice, chickens, and pigs were all washed away, and many have died. Among the most affected are Lapankine and Natkanpyin villages,” said a in charge of the Yin Chaung Youth Association.
There are 14 villages situated along the upper stream and five villages along the lower stream in the Yin Chaung area, where most of the residents are of the Chin ethnic group,according to reports.
Similarly, in the Pontha Chaung (Thelaung) area, located in the upper part of Minbya Township, over 250 households were destroyed by the flooding, and there have been reports of fatalities.
“The internet and phone connections to that area are extremely limited. There are about 15 villages in that region. Some villages were completely submerged, while in others, 40 to 50 houses of each were destroyed,” said Ko Slaing, a resident of Pontha Chaung area.
The villages affected by the flooding in Minbya Township include Kainggyi, Kyema Gyi, Kyema Che, Kwui Chaung, Pyan Chaung, Pyanwa, Tharyet Oak, Ngalin Gyi, Natthouk Ywar Thit, Natthouk Ywar Haung, Ywartharya, Lower kachyimyaung, Upper kachyimyaung, Zinechaung, and Tharyet Oak. It is expected that more villages may experience similar conditions, according to local sources.
“Even if we want to help flood victims in Rakhine, the roads are closed. We cannot transport any supplies, and we are only left to support with money. Even with money, we are concerned because the withdrawal fee is 12,000 kyats per 100,000 kyats, and we are worried we may not even be able to withdraw cash,” said a social worker involved in the relief efforts in the region.
Additionally, the entire country is experiencing both conflict and flooding. Humanitarian organizations are unable to fully assist flood victims in Rakhine State because the State Administration Council (SAC) has cut off road, internet, and phone communications, making it difficult to receive updated information, the social worker further explained.
Currently, due to the remnants of a tropical cyclone, heavy rains and strong winds are affecting regions like Naypyidaw, Bago, Kayah, Karen, Magway, Mandalay and states like Mon, Shan, and northern parts of Rakhine, causing widespread flooding.
The flooding across the country has resulted in hundreds of deaths and missing persons, while the number of flood victims has risen to over 600,000, according to a statement released by UNOCHA Myanmar on September 16.
