Over 100 Muslims confirmed killed by cyclone in Arakan State, more missing

By Admin 18 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 May 2023, Sittwe

At least 110 Muslims in Sittwe Township were reportedly killed by Cyclone Mocha, which hit the Arakan State capital on Sunday.

Around 80 Muslims in Muslim villages and some 34 others in displacement camps died during the storm, according to a DMG tally as of Thursday.

Displaced Muslims were swept away by storm tides as high as 10 feet as they fled to nearby villages, said family members.

“The tide rose in no time, and we fled. There is a fence outside our village. My mother was trapped at the fence, and she drowned. Our houses were also swept away. And we have no food other than coconut now,” said an internally displaced person (IDP) from Basara displacement camp.

Another displaced person said: “One of my brothers and a sister-in-law died as they fled the tide. We also lost our houses.”

Basara Village is located by the Bay of Bengal. Most of the Muslims who died did not flee ahead of the storm, and were from coastal villages.

Administrator U San Mya Kyaw of Bumay (Muslim) village-tract said: “The death toll could be higher. Some people are still missing. Most of the people that died were from villages along the shore, or others who stayed behind to take care of their houses.” 

The full extent of the damage caused by the tropical cyclone is still unknown. Victims urgently need food and healthcare services.

“My house was badly damaged. We have no money or rice. We urgently need rice. And we also need doctors,” said a Muslim woman from the Bawdupa displacement camp.

Communications and electricity are still down in storm-hit areas, and relief supplies still can’t reach many of those most in need.