IDP Camps in Rakhine Flooded Due to Continuous Rainfall

Many internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Rakhine State are facing the issue of flooding owing due to continuous rainfall.

According to reports from IDPs and camp officials, the IDP camps in Rakhine State have experienced severe flooding from June 21 to June 25, as a result of constant rainfall. This has caused significant distress among the IDPs.

The IDPs in Nyaung Chaung IDP camp, located in Kyauktaw Township, have reported that water has flooded the camp since yesterday making live even more hazardous.

U Thein Tun Hla, a resident of the camp, said, "The situation has worsened to such an extent that even the bridges have been flooded. Water has begun entering the houses, leading to mosquito bites due to the submerged conditions. Additionally all the toilets have been flooded, rendering them unusable."

He further expressed concern that there is a possibility of further rains which could potentially cause the water levels to rise even higher than their current state.

He also emphasized that they would need to closely monitor the situation as the water levels rise, and if necessary, they would make arrangements to relocate to the monasteries situated in the highlands of the village.

According to reports, there are over 500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently residing in Nyaung Chaung IDP Camp.

According to U Oo Soe Naing, the camp manager, in Mrauk-U Township, Tain Nyo IDP Camp, water from the Yam Stream has already started flowing into the camp as a result of the rainfall, as reported by Narinjara. "If the water level of the stream increases, it will flow into the area. In certain low-lying regions, the water may even reach the houses," he noted.

The Tain Nyo IDP Camp in Mrauk-U Township has a population of over 2,800 individuals. The

IDP camps in Rakhine State were severely impacted by the Mocha cyclone that struck on May 14.

The IDPs are facing immense hardships in the IDP camps, as they are confronted with the recurring effects of the flood while struggling to rebuild their homes that were destroyed by the cyclone.

According to civil society statistics, there are approximately 70,000 IDPs still residing in Rakhine State.

The Military Council has not yet cleared landmines and remnants of military weapons from the forests and areas near their communities where the fighting occurred which is the major obstacle for IDPs would otherwise consider returning to their homes.

On the morning of June 25, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology announced that the monsoon winds in the Andaman Sea and southern Bay of Bengal are currently moderate, while the rest of the Bay of Bengal experiences moderate to strong winds.

According to their forecast, the monsoon is expected to remain at a moderate level for the next two days.

The statement further highlighted that certain regions and states, including Rakhine, might encounter heavy rainfall due to the influence of the strong monsoon.