Arakan State ferry services told to suspend operations ahead of anticipated storms 

By DMG 18 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
18 August 2022, Sittwe 

The department of Inland Water Transport has instructed ferry services operating in Arakan State to suspend operations from August 18-20 due to forecasts predicting dangerous conditions brought on by a depression and cyclonic circulation off the coast of Arakan State. 

The depression will move northwestward and strengthen, becoming a potent low pressure system and bringing stormy weather over the next 24 hours. 

After that, the depression will move west-northwest and it is estimated that it will cross over the Indian state of West Bengal and the northern state of Odisha, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) announced. 

“People in coastal areas must exercise caution as surface wind speeds will be high and there will be tides,” said U Hla Tun, director of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. 

Surface wind speeds during squalls may reach 40 miles per hour, and wave height will be 9 to 13 feet off and along Myanmar’s coast, said the department. 

U San Maw Thein, manager of the Shwe Pyi Tan ferryboat service, said that due to the depression, water routes to Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, and Manaung have been suspended. 

“Inland Water Transport issued the instruction urging the ferryboat services to suspend operations until August 20. We will resume operations depending on the weather conditions,” he added. 

Heavy rains are expected in Arakan State due to the depression.  

Meanwhile, three homes in Ngapali town’s Jeittaw ward were damaged by strong winds on the evening of August 17. 

“A coconut tree fell and damaged my home and another home at about 12 o’clock at night. The tree is now cleared,” said Ko Nay Min Aung, a resident of Jeittaw ward, adding that some fishing boats were also damaged by the gusty winds. 

The low pressure system could bring heavy rain and strong winds, with the potential for flash floods and landslides, the DMH said, urging people living near highlands and other locations vulnerable to landslides and flooding to be aware of the risks and plan accordingly. 

Some urban residential areas in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu were inundated by floodwaters due to an hours-long deluge on August 16, with residents being evacuated to safer locations. And in Manaung Township’s Theingon village, some homes were submerged and rice bags were damaged by floodwaters due to incessant rains on August 17, according to locals.