No Relief for Akash's Victims in Arakan

Many people were left homeless and some were injured in the attack of cyclone Akash on 14 May in Arakan State, but as of yet there has been no relief aid for the victims nor any sheltering center set up to house them. The relevant government authorities are not giving any attention to the cyclone victims, according to a local report.

Many houses were damaged, several trees were uprooted, and a few boats were sunk during the cyclone attack throughout Arakan State. Many of the shrimp farms and embankments were washed away in the three feet high tidal waves during the storm.

In Rathidaung Township, at least two people, one a minor boy, were hospitalized with serious injuries sustained when a building collapsed; at least 100 homes in rural areas were damaged. Many government buildings in Rathidaung, including a government high school, the township hospital, the agricultural department office, the survey department office, and a jetty pontoon were damaged by the cyclone.

Additionally, a small ferryboat was sunk and three other machine boats are missing in the township.

In Mraybon Township, about 10 houses from Kyaunt Tha Ya Island were washed away by four to five feet tidal waves, but there has been no information regarding casualties in the area.

In Maungdaw Township, several houses located in the south of the township were damaged, mainly from the villages of Indin, Thawin Chaung, and Agumaw. Many Nasaka buildings were also damaged.

In the capital of Arakan State, Akyab, many houses from Rachan Byint and Thay Chaung villages, as well as many army building situated on the outskirts of the city were damaged. Many roads in Akyab were swamped by a tidal surge during the cyclone attack.

A ship identified as the Saw Mae Kyi 1 reportedly sank in the coastal area of Arakan, but no further information in regards to the ship has been available.

Despite the fact that the cyclone left many people homeless and destroyed several hundred houses throughout Arakan, the military government has remained silent and has not disclosed any report about the recent storm in the state, said the report.

Cyclone Akash hit the Arakan coast on 14 May, with winds reported up to 70 miles per hour and lasting for at least 8 hours.