Bridge damage along Myebon-Ann Road disrupts travel

By Admin 12 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

12 August 2026, Myebon

Damage along the Myebon-Ann Road is severely disrupting travel between southern and northern Arakan State and causing major delays to the movement of goods.

Travel along the Myebon-Ann Road has been severely affected by the collapse of two vital bridges and multiple landslides blocking the route.

Heavy rains during the first week of August triggered powerful mountain torrents that collapsed the bridges and caused landslides, local residents said.

"The Swaechaung Bridge and Minkhan Bridge both collapsed. Landslides have blocked the road between Laythun and Sanyin villages, as well as between Sanyin and Ingyin villages. The landslide between Tokechaung Village and Wetpaunggyi New Village is so severe that travellers have to carry their motorcycles across," a local man in Myebon said.

Motorcyclists navigating the damaged sections currently pay K5,000 for assistance carrying their bikes across blockages and up to K10,000 to cross rivers.

Along the Maei-Sanyintaung Road, landslides have blocked the route at least six locations, forcing residents to travel under hazardous conditions.

Local residents said damage along the Myebon-Ann Road and wider transport disruptions are slowing trade between southern and northern Arakan State while also creating serious difficulties for emergency medical access.

"Trade between the south and north, as well as travel for healthcare, will suffer immensely. With regular junta airstrikes in the south, patients needing to be transferred north cannot travel by road. A road journey would require three vehicle transfers. If only one bridge were damaged, it might still be possible, but with two bridges down, people must rely almost entirely on waterways," a local man in Taungup said.

With overland transport to southern Arakan State restricted, increased reliance on water transport has lengthened travel times and driven up local commodity prices.

Authorities from the United League of Arakan are using heavy machinery to clear landslide debris, but local residents said the damaged bridges have yet to be repaired.