DMH forecasts scattered rains in Arakan State

18 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 March 2023, Sittwe

The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) announced on March 18 that heavy clouds over the Bay of Bengal would likely bring unseasonal rains to Arakan State in the days ahead.

DMH forecast scattered rains in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions, as well as Kachin, Shan, Chin and Arakan states, with an 80 percent chance of rain expected.

If the unseasonal rains materialise, there will be damage to crops, so farmers need to prepare and take care in advance, said U Jayme, a watermelon farmer from Taungyin Ward in Kyaukphyu.

“As the rain that falls at this time often contains acids, it often damages the seedlings and crops that are still being planted. If it rains heavily, the plants will be affected by fungus, so farmers need to make drainage holes and spray insecticides in the fields in advance,” he added.

Farmers in Arakan State usually grow crops such as melons, corn, eggplant, chili and beans this time of year, which are sensitive to high rainfall totals.

The Arakan State Salt Farmers Association has urged salt farmers to prepare storage facilities and shelters in advance because salt farms are often damaged when it rains.

“I would like to encourage salt farmers to prepare in advance what needs to be done to pick up the salt in the field and move it to storage facilities,” said U Kyaw Maung Thein, an information officer for the Arakan State Salt Farmers Association.