Nearly 400 villages in seven townships have been inundated by flooding following several days of heavy rainfall and at least six people have been killed by flooding, according to an announcement from the Arakan Army, the ethnic Rakhine armed organization that controls some parts of the western state.
The army said that Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Myebon, Minbya, Taungup, Thandwe were the most flooded townships in the state.
The flooding is occurring while most communities in the state are still reeling from the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha, which ripped through the state in May, the announcement said. The flooding has destroyed more homes, buildings and farmland. Livestock in the agriculture-dependent state have also been swept away by flooding, the announcement said.
The Arakan Army called on ASEAN and international organizations to provide emergency aid, including food and medicine, as soon as possible to the communities inundated by flooding while still recovering from the cyclone.
Local volunteer groups said at least 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from two camps were evacuated in Kyuaktaw and Mrauk-U townships last week.
Residents of Myatasuang IDP camp in Mrauk-U Township said their houses were either partially or completely destroyed by flooding.
“We need urgent help to rebuild at least 40 houses in the camp that were swept away by the floodwater,” the abbot in Myatasaung said.
The temporary camp was built in 2008 and almost all of its makeshift houses were severely damaged by Cyclone Mocha in May.
A representative from the Myitta Yaungchi Foundation, a local volunteer group, said the foundation had donated food and drinking water in Nyaung Chaung IDP camp and Na Ga Yar village in Kyauktaw Township.
“Water has receded in many areas, but people still need humanitarian aid as their houses, barns and crops were destroyed by the flood,” the representative said.
At least 3,105 people were evacuated from Nyaung Chaung IPD camp after flooding submerged their makeshift homes, local volunteer groups said.
Another volunteer group donated drinking water in Tha Yet Oke and Na Gar Yar villages in Kyauktaw Township as ponds used to collect drinking water had been inundated by floodwater.
“We still can’t reach other villages in the west of Kyauktaw Township as we have to go there by boat,” a volunteer in the township said.
Many villages in the township are in dire need of food supplies and water, the volunteer said.
“We could not help all villages due to limited funding. We need more donations to help people in flood-affected areas,” he said.
Since June 2023, the regime has prevented the United Nations and other international organizations from delivering urgent humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State, hindering the rehabilitation process after Cyclone Mocha.
“Some people could not even rebuild their homes after Cyclone Mocha. We are struggling with many difficulties. I would like to ask for humanitarian aid from international organizations if possible,” a resident from Kyauktaw said.
Cyclone Mocha hit western Myanmar on May 14, killing more than 100 people, destroying or damaging an estimated 200,000 buildings, bringing down utility poles and blocking communications in Rakhine State.