Fighting halts Tha Htay Chaung hydropower dam construction in Thandwe

By Admin 29 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
29 April 2024, Thandwe

Fighting between the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township has brought the Tha Htay Chaung hydropower dam project to a sudden halt, according to residents.

The hydropower project is located on Tha Htay Chaung Creek, 12 miles northeast of Thandwe town.

Technicians and staff of the project fled the fighting on April 26. “All the staff fled to Thandwe town after the fighting erupted near the project,” said a resident who lives near the project site.

Junta troops and the AA have been fighting near Shwe Hlay, Yay Kauk and Payit villages, all near the project site, since April 24. There was no fighting in Thandwe Township on April 29, but junta naval vessels fired shells, according to residents.

“There was no fighting today, but locals are concerned that they would be hit by junta artillery strikes,” said a Thandwe resident.

The hydropower project is reportedly 80 percent complete. Construction began in 2008, and is slated for completion in the fiscal year 2025-26, according to the junta’s electricity ministry. 

The war zone has been expanding in Thandwe Township since fighting broke out on April 13.

Since launching its offensive in November, the AA has seized Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon and Ramree townships in Arakan State, and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.

The ethnic armed group is currently attacking junta positions in Ann, Thandwe, Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships.