Heavy rain, river erosion cause damage to Rakhine embankments, 30 houses destroyed

Due to heavy rains in the last few days, the rivers are flowing above the danger mark at Kularang village under Taungup township of Rakhine State and more than 30 houses were already destroyed by the high waves.

On 1 August, the tide rose in Kalawang river and the waves finally crashed the banks and also damaged many houses during the morning hours.

U Myint Lwin, the administrator of Kularang village informed that more than 30 houses collapsed and fallen into the river water.

“Now, the banks have been collapsing due to the rising tide and waves. Other houses near the river also face the risk of damages,” he added.

About 40 houses located near Kalawang river also faced the risk and hence the villagers shifted
those houses to safer places on 2 and 3 August, said the local residents.

"The river water has already entered the village and many houses are now under water. So we are shifting the houses before those collapse to the river,” added one villager.

The house owners are currently taking shelter in residences of  monks and relatives.

Myint Lwin informed that the responsible  officers will come to the village to inspect the damages. “We hope they will also announce assistance and reliefs for the affected villagers. We have already submitted a list of damaged houses to the concerned department,” he added.

The village gives shelter to  292 families. Earlier on 2 July 2022, due to heavy rains during the night hours the river bank  collapsed. Four houses and a car workshop were also damaged at Gutar ward  of Taungup township. Similarly, on 2 October  2021 also, seven houses collapsed due to  river erosion in the same township.

Environment observes claim that because of climate change, many rivers in Rakhine State are flowing above the normal mark and thus the low-lying areas have been facing unprecedented inundation in every rainy season.