AA engages in Arakan State flood relief initiatives

Saw Shin May, Narinjara News, 4 August 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) is actively involved in relief efforts for the communities affected by the recent wave of flood in Mrauk-U, Minbya and Kyauktaw townships of  Arakan State.

The AA members are extending help in rescuing and evacuating people from the flood-affected villages. They are also relocating residents in safer places including the monasteries to escape the growing flood menace.

"The AA members are shifting people to safer locations. Many villagers have been evacuated as the river water level increases,” said a local resident.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is also distributing relief materials including food items to the affected families.

Lately, the water level has receded in some parts of Sin Cha Seik, Taung Yat, Kyat Zay and Ah Lel Zay wards under  Mrauk-U township.

A woman from Kyauk Rit Kay ward in Mrauk-U town revealed that they were instructed to send food items to the administrator's office for the flood relief program.

A large number of residents were shifted to monasteries and school buildings with assistance provided for the children and elderly villagers.

Lemro river water inundates  low-lying areas of Mrauk-U town. The villagers living on the riverbanks of  Poe Phyu Kyun, Sin Baw Kaing, Nyaung Pin Hla, Zedi Kone, Mya Kyun, Sin Oe Gyi, Ywar Ma Ni, Shwe Tun Phyu, Maung Thar Kone and Ywar Haung Taw villages were evacuated.

In Minbya locality, villages like Pan Myaung, Gwa Sone, Pwe Ya Kan Seik, Shwe Kyan and Pyin Yaung have been evacuated as the water level rises on 1 August.

A resident from Gwa Sone village stated that they were relocating to monasteries because their houses were submerged.

“We urgently need food and other emergency assistance,” he added.

The rising water level of Kaladan river inundated Tha Yet Ta Pin, Shwe Tha Le, Pyin Hla, and Nyaung Chaung villagers under  Kyauktaw township as well as Kan Sauk, Wah Taung, Pan Be Chaung, Kha Maung Taw, Chaung Thu, Mee Yet Pyin, Oak Thaung Pyin and Gwa Sone villages near Yoe Chaung.

Since the third week of July, relentless rains have led to the rising water levels in rivers and flooding of  Mrauk-U, Minbya and Kyauktaw townships. The flood water also affected Taungup, Gwa and Thandwe townships since 25 July.

The residents apprehend that the incessant raining may lead to severe flooding in different localities to increase the suffering of villagers.