Interview: Arakan State military council spokesman discusses recent flooding 

By Admin 14 Aug 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 August 2023, Sittwe

Floods last week hit Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ann and Taungup townships in Arakan State as water levels rose in the Kaladan and Lemyo rivers and their tributaries due to persistent rains since early August.

The flooding inflicted some casualties, and about 7,000 were forced to evacuate their homes. Nearly 500,000 acres of farmland were inundated.

Arakan State military council spokesman U Hla Thein spoke to DMG about the floods and what the council has been doing to help flood victims.

DMG: How serious were the floods?

U Hla Thein: The floods came on August 8. Water levels rose in the Lemyo River. That day, the river was below its danger level in Mrauk-U, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. But the river flooded Minbya. It is not unusual for Arakan State to experience floods during times of heavy rainfall. We were concerned that farms would be flooded, and rescue operations would be hampered. Before that day, the Arakan State military council had issued instructions about the disaster.

Normally, if the flooding is not serious, floodwaters would subside in a couple of days. But if there is a need to evacuate people, township authorities would arrange for it. In cooperation with fire services departments, authorities would warn the public about the potential flooding, urging the people to evacuate and telling them about what they should do in response during the flood. We have plans to evacuate people if the water level in a river reaches higher than its danger level and people are at risk. And we have also planned to supply the evacuees with food supplies in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

So far, the floods are not as severe as some of the previous ones we have experienced. Roads between Minbya and Mrauk-U were flooded, and floodwaters reached one foot above the ground. Floodwaters have receded as water levels in the rivers have fallen. Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Ponnagyun townships are prone to floods.

DMG: What will the Arakan State military council do to help the flood victims?

U Hla Thein: The water level in Mrauk-U had reached about 70 centimetres above its danger level on August 8. Mrauk-U saw an inch of rainfall and the river receded on August 9. The water level of the Kisspanadi River has reached 550 cm in Kyauktaw. About 300 local people in low-lying areas in some villages in Kyauktaw Township were evacuated to safer locations. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will provide food supplies to flood victims for one week.

The two deceased were from Pyinyaung Village in Minbya Township [referring to a mother and son who drowned in floodwaters], and the missing are from Ngatapaung Village in Kyauktaw Township and Jeitchaung Village in Ann Township. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will provide cash assistance to the family members of those deceased in Arakan State.

DMG: What are the plans for IDPs affected by the flooding?

U Hla Thein: Regarding IDPs, it will be the same as the programme that is being carried out by the relevant authorities. However, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will provide rice rations for people who have been relocated, whether they are from the community or from the displacement camp.

DMG: How is the Arakan State military council delivering assistance to the flood victims?

U Hla Thein: The state- and township-level disaster management committees held a meeting on providing assistance to the flood victims on August 8. The Arakan State military council officials held a meeting with deputy commissioners in flood-hit districts via a video link. According to the presentation at that meeting, for example, Fire Services Department officials presented the parts needed for rescue. The Department of Agriculture officials also discussed measures to be taken for the farmlands destroyed by the floods.

Health Department officials are discussing measures to be taken because if the water rises and many people’s houses are destroyed, there may be health issues as well. Health Department officials said there will be problems with drinking water, especially diarrhoea that occurs when the water rises and falls. In this regard, the Health Department has distributed enough salt and water tablets in each relevant township.

DMG: Is there anything else you would like to say to the people of the affected townships?

U Hla Thein: As for the people, there is seasonal news on TV. You need to be constantly alert about what to do if the river floods, how to carry documents and food. The weather is predictable. The next thing I would like to say is that these villages and houses are close to the river, so move them. If so, the people need to move.

Due to Cyclone Mocha, lives are lost when winds are unusually stronger than expected. As such, it is necessary to be aware of floods regularly and follow the weather warnings issued by the relevant organisation, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. People need to follow the warnings and instructions issued by the local government, Fire Services Department and Red Cross Society. I would like to tell people to be careful and not be too careless.

DMG: Thank you for taking the time to reply.