Sittwe residents call for proper drainage system ahead of rainy season

By Admin 04 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
4 May 2023, Sittwe

With floods occurring every year in Arakan State’s Sittwe due to blockages of drains during the rainy season, residents are demanding that the drains be properly excavated to improve the flow of water.

Since the Township municipality does not dig drainage systems, some residents of Sittwe’s neighbourhoods have taken the matter into their own hands.

“We are digging drains on a self-reliant basis ahead of the rainy season,” said U Maung Kyaw Thein, an administrator of Sittwe’s Lanmadaw Ward.

He continued that the residents of Lanmadaw Ward and the ward administrator submitted a request to the township municipality on April 30 seeking assistance.

“Even though we dug the drains in front of our homes on a self-reliant basis, the drains filled with water, affecting the whole neighbourhood. The township municipality has yet to build drains in Sittwe’s wards. Now that the rainy season is approaching, the township municipality should properly dig the drains,” said Daw Ma Nge, a resident of Myo Thu Gyi Ward.

Some blame the rainy season flooding in Sittwe on unregulated garbage disposal and home construction. Garbage is not properly disposed of and piles up near the drains, causing clogging, they say.

“The township municipality and local people must cooperate and properly dig the drains,” said a resident of Bauk Thee Su Ward. “If the public does not cooperate, the relevant authorities must take action. Lack of public cooperation with local authorities in Sittwe triggers floods every year.”

DMG attempted to contact Sittwe Township municipality executive officer Daw Khin Khin Soe about whether there are plans to address the drainage concerns ahead of the rainy season, but she could not be reached.