Erosion claims over 140 homes during Arakan State rainy season 

By Admin 13 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
13 October 2023, Kyauktaw
 
More than 140 houses have been washed away due to riverbank and coastal erosion during the current rainy season across Arakan State’s Kyauktaw, Minbya, Pauktaw, Taungup, Thandwe and Ramree townships, according to residents.
 
According to a DMG tally, over 80 houses in Sinkhaung Village, Thandwe Township, around 50 houses in Kalaryaung Village, Taungup Township, around 10 houses in Minbargyi ward in Minbya town, and six houses in Thinpanchein Village, Ramree Township, were washed away.
 
U Tin Htay from Sinkhaung Village said: “Houses near the shore were washed away. And 40 more houses are at the risk of being washed away.”
 
Coastal Sinkhaung Village is prone to the effects of erosion during the rainy season due to the combined forces of rain, tides and wind.

 
Some residents of homes lost to the elements have been forced to stay with their relatives as they cannot afford to build new houses.
 
“Many have been forced to stay with their relatives either because it is difficult to obtain a new land plot or they can’t afford to build new homes,” said U Nyi Nyi Aung from Kalaryaung Village in Taungup Township. “We want either the government or other organisations to help us.”
 
In many places, locals have been forced to rely on their own wherewithal to prevent or mitigate the effects of erosion.
 
“Villagers are planning to prevent erosion with traditional methods using bamboo. But they can’t afford to build a strong retaining wall. So, it would be better if the government takes responsibility,” said U Maung Kyan Aye from Thinpanchein Village.

 
U Win Soe, assistant director of the Arakan State Disaster Management Department, said authorities do not have a plan to provide assistance for people who suffer from riverbank and coastal erosion.
 
“Normally, we provide assistance for people affected by natural disasters including those who lose their homes in bank erosion. But for the time being, we have no plan [to provide assistance] regarding bank erosion,” he said.