The number of flood victims increases

18 Jul 2019

Thet Naing | DMG

18 July, Sittwe

Flooding has occurred in Mrauk-U, Minbya and Kyauktaw townships in Arakan State for six days as of 10 July, there are about 100,000 people affected by the flooding due to insufficient preparedness of the government.

The government could make resettlement arrangements for just over 9000 flood victims, according to the Department of Disaster Management in Arakan State.

An MP blamed the Internet ban in the region for the delays in disaster management.

The number of flood victims has increased as a result of the Internet cut-off in the region. The blackout has also created difficulties preparing for floods and delivering relief aid to flood victims, said U Sit Naing, Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Minbya Township. 

“We can assess situations in affected regions faster and more thoroughly if we have Internet access so we can meet the needs of victims,” he said.

Passenger buses and trucks were also stuck in the flood and it was because of the lack of Internet access, a driver said.

“Since local residents cannot access the Internet, they could not post news of disasters in their regions so we couldn’t get information about affected regions. Now I am stuck on the way to my destination.

 Ko Aung Kyaw Soe, project coordinator of the BRAC Myanmar, said that flooding occurs almost every year because of deforestation and changing rain patterns.

“In the past it would rain one day and stop for three or four days. But these days it is raining three or four consecutive days and it is heavy rain,” he said.

Currently, the flood water subsided but flood victims are facing difficulties finding food and shelter because the resettlement process for flood victims could not be carried out quickly.