Floods recede in Thandwe, but more high waters expected

By Admin 02 Aug 2023

DMG Newsroom
2 August 2023, Sittwe
 
Floodwaters receded on Wednesday in urban wards of Arakan State’s Thandwe after some parts of town were inundated by a swollen creek following days of heavy rainfall, according to local residents.
 
Floodwaters reached some three feet high in the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 wards of Thandwe town due to continuous rain, prompting schools to close.
 
“The floodwaters have receded slowly as it has stopped raining heavily,” said Thandwe resident U Thaung Tun. “Only some roads and low-lying areas remain flooded now.”
 
No damage was reported in the flooded wards as of press time.
 
According to a weather report from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on August 1 at 6 p.m., Thandwe Creek was above one inch above its danger level, and was likely to rise by some four feet over the next 24 hours.
 
Director U Hla Tun of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said: “Heavy rain may continue for a couple of days, so it is likely that the creek will remain above its danger level for the next few days.”
 
The department has urged Thandwe residents to pay close attention to weather reports and ready themselves for potential emergency situations.
 
The township fire services department and social organisations have prepared for emergency rescue and relief works in response to possible flooding.
 
“The fire services department and social organisations are monitoring the situation,” said Ko Paing Myo, information officer of the Saedanar social organisation (Muslim Youth Association) in Thandwe. “The fire services department is also educating town residents on how they should respond in case of a disaster.”
 
More than 700 houses were inundated, and over 3,000 people were affected by flooding in Thandwe in 2021.