Sittwe residents complain of high waters as monsoon season sets in

By DMG 15 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
15 June 2022, Sittwe 

Flooding is frequent in wards such as Shwepyar, Mingan, Hsinkulan and Lanmatawtaung in the Arakan State capital Sittwe due to blocked drains and poor water flow, according to locals. 

“There is no drainage and when it rains, the residential areas are submerged. When it rains heavily, the high tide submerges the lowlands. I want the relevant authorities to dig drainage systems to improve the flow of water,” said Ma Phyu Phar Chay, a resident of Mingan Ward 5. 

Frequent flooding in some Sittwe wards is due to the closure of streams due to the Kaladan project and the Korea’s BXT port project in Sittwe, locals said. 

“First, the Kaladan project blocked and narrowed streams. In addition, the flow of water was blocked due to Korea’s BXT port project. The government has a responsibility to improve the drainage system and the flow of water. There are weaknesses in the government’s actions,” said U Khaing Kaung San, a resident of Sittwe. 

Sittwe is flooded every year due to the blockage of sewers and garbage, and the relevant government authorities are not interested in this issue, residents have repeatedly said. 

“When I was a child, there were proper drainage systems in Sittwe. Now Myolae Creek in Sittwe is full of rubbish and silt. The township development committee is responsible for the problem. The relevant government authorities are not interested in this issue,” said U Maung Thar Sein, an elder of Sittwe. 

DMG phoned Deputy Director of the Arakan State Development Committee U Kyaw Moe about the blockade of the drainage system, who replied that the news outlet should contact the township development committee. 

Daw Khin Soe Soe, an executive officer of the township development committee, was not available for comment. 

As a result of the lack of drainage and blockage in some parts of Sittwe, some major roads have been severely damaged by floods and landslides as the rainy season sets in.