Due to heavy rains in the last few days, the rivers are flowing above the danger mark at Kularang villageunder Taungup township of Rakhine Stateand 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 manyhouses during the morning hours.

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

“Now, the banks have been collapsing due to the rising tideand waves. Other houses near theriver 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 thehouses before those collapse tothe river,” added one villager.

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

Myint Lwin informed that the responsible  officers willcome to the village to inspect thedamages. “We hope they will also announceassistance 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 nighthours the river bank  collapsed. Fourhouses and a car workshop were also damaged at Gutar ward  of Taungup township. Similarly, on 2 October  2021 also, sevenhouses 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 thenormal mark and thus the low-lyingareas have been facing unprecedented inundation in every rainy season.