Mother, son drown in Minbya flooding

By Admin 07 Aug 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 August 2023, Minbya
 
A mother and her son died on Sunday due to strong currents in Arakan State’s Minbya Township as many parts of Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships have been hit by floods due to continuous rain.
 
The mother and her two sons were returning from Thazi village to their home village of Pyinyaung in Minbya Township on Sunday, when they were swept away by strong currents, drowning two of them, said Ko Maung Hnaung from Pyinyaung village.
 
“The older son survived,” said Ko Maung Hnaung.
 
The victims were Daw Win Tin Kyi, 30, and her 3-year-old son, Maung Myo Win Ko.
 
Floodwaters have reached five to six feet high in low-lying areas in more than 20 villages in Minbya Township as the Lemyo River has swelled.
 
“The water level continues to rise as it has been raining heavily continuously. We have to use boats to go around our village,” said the administrator of Shwekyin village, U Nyo Maung Thein.
 
Meanwhile, at least 30 villages have been flooded in Kyauktaw Township as tributaries of the Kaladan River are flooded, said residents.
 
At least four villages have also been flooded in the ancient city of Mrauk-U due to continuous rain.
 
“The water level has risen in Yanchaung Creek, flooding our displacement camp. Displaced people have been forced to move to the monastery. We also can’t travel, and are running out of food,” said U Thein Kyaw Mya, manager of the Pipayin displacement camp in Mrauk-U.
 
Water levels continue to rise in many townships, and local civil society organisations have called for relief operations and timely provision of relief supplies.
 
“People should not travel during floods unless it is necessary. They must also save food supplies and prepare necessities,” said U Ba Nyunt, chairman of Mrauk-U CSO Network.
 
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has warned that water levels in the Kaladan and Lemyo rivers may continue to rise. Monsoon is strong in the Bay of Bengal with isolated rains expected in parts of Arakan State, the department said.