Thousands of flood victims in Minbya Twsp in need of aid

By Admin 18 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
18 September 2024, Minbya

Thirteen villages in Minkulan Village-tract, primarily home to ethnic Chin people along the Phontha Creek in Arakan State’s Minbya Township, were submerged by recent floods and flood victims are reportedly in urgent need of assistance.

“We have no more homes and are facing food challenges as the recent flood destroyed our homes. We evacuated to safer locations in advance,” said a resident of Minbya Township.

Heavy rains in the second week of September resulted in significant flooding and damage to property in several Minbya Township villages.

The water level of the Phontha Creek has risen due to overflow from the Laymyo River and the Arakan mountains, and nearby villages have been affected to varying degrees. A total of 260 houses have been destroyed in these villages due to the floodwaters, and thousands of people are in need of emergency aid.

“No civilian casualties were reported, but flood victims are facing food challenges. Rice bags stored by the villagers were destroyed by the floods. The flood victims are in urgent need of food assistance,” said a local resident.

At the beginning of August, floods occurred in Minbya Township villages including Panmyaung, Khwasone, Pweya Kanseik, Shwekyan and Pyinyaung due to heavy rains and the ensuing water-level rise of the Laymyo River, causing damage to paddy fields, farmlands and stored rice.

The Arakkha People’s Government and Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) of the United League of Arakan/Arakkha Army (ULA/AA) says it is preparing to provide emergency relief aid to flood victims in Minbya Township.