Cyclone Mocha: 15 Rakhine people killed in Rathedaung

At least 15 Rakhine civilians were killed by the cyclone Mocha at Dom Pike and Zeegai villages under Rathedaung township, 20 miles north of the State capital Sittwe.

The number of casualties may increase in Rakhine coastal areas as information from the ground is yet to come fully as the telephone and internet connection faces disruption because of the storm.

The cyclone that hit Rakhine on 14 May, snatched away the lives of 13 residents belonging to Dom Pike village and two  residents of Zeegai village, informed local sources.

A woman villager revealed that two males from Zeegai village died in the storm.

"Among them one was an old villager who was suffering from diseases. The other one died as tired to move some packages facing the storm. Most of the houses in our village were damaged by the cyclone,” added the lady.

Another woman from Dom Pike village informed  that no less than 13 locals died and their houses were fully damaged.

She is presently taking shelter in a different village and while talking to her family members by telephone she got the information.

Among the dead, nine were women including a 7-year-old girl, and four men, she added.

It is understood that they took shelter inside Dhama hall in the monastery compound and it collapsed in the storm when all of them died.

Now their photographs have gone viral on social media.

Narinjara News tried to contact the Rathedaung township administrator to authenticate the information about the dead, but his phone line is not working.

Rathedaung faces more destruction due to the cyclonic storm and social media users claim that 98% houses of the township were already destroyed.

The affected villagers are now facing the difficulties for their food and shelter after the storm and they need an emergency assistance.