Saw Shin May, Narinjara News, 4 August 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) is actively involved in relief efforts for the communitiesaffected by the recent wave of flood in Mrauk-U, Minbya and Kyauktaw townshipsof  Arakan State.

The AA members are extending help in rescuing andevacuating people from the flood-affected villages. They are also relocatingresidents in safer places including the monasteries to escape the growing floodmenace.

"The AA members are shifting people to saferlocations. Many villagers have been evacuated as the river water levelincreases,” said a local resident.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) isalso distributing relief materials including food items to the affectedfamilies.

Lately, the water level has receded in some parts ofSin Cha Seik, Taung Yat, Kyat Zay and Ah Lel Zay wards under  Mrauk-Utownship.

A woman from Kyauk Rit Kay ward in Mrauk-U town revealed that they wereinstructed to send food items to the administrator's office for the floodrelief program.

A large number of residents were shifted tomonasteries and school buildings with assistance provided for the children andelderly villagers.

Lemro river water inundates  low-lying areas ofMrauk-U town. The villagers living on the riverbanks of  Poe Phyu Kyun,Sin Baw Kaing, Nyaung Pin Hla, Zedi Kone, Mya Kyun, Sin Oe Gyi, Ywar Ma Ni,Shwe Tun Phyu, Maung Thar Kone and Ywar Haung Taw villages were evacuated.

In Minbya locality, villages like Pan Myaung, Gwa Sone, Pwe Ya Kan Seik, ShweKyan and Pyin Yaung have been evacuated as the water level rises on 1 August.

A resident from Gwa Sone village stated that they wererelocating to monasteries because their houses were submerged.

“We urgently need food and other emergencyassistance,” he added.

The rising water level of Kaladan river inundated Tha Yet Ta Pin, Shwe Tha Le,Pyin Hla, and Nyaung Chaung villagers under  Kyauktaw township as well asKan Sauk, Wah Taung, Pan Be Chaung, Kha Maung Taw, Chaung Thu, Mee Yet Pyin,Oak Thaung Pyin and Gwa Sone villages near Yoe Chaung.

Since the third week of July, relentless rains have led to the rising waterlevels in rivers and flooding of  Mrauk-U, Minbya and Kyauktaw townships.The flood water also affected Taungup, Gwa and Thandwe townships since 25 July.

The residents apprehend that the incessant raining maylead to severe flooding in different localities to increase the suffering ofvillagers.