Floods prompt closure of over 100 schools in Arakan State

By Admin 07 Aug 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 August 2023, Sittwe
 
Floods have forced the closures of more than 100 schools in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, according to local residents.
 
Schools have been closed in around 40 villages in Kyauktaw Township as of August 5, and some schools in Kyauktaw town were also closed on Monday.
 
The chairman of the Kyauktaw-based Phyu Sin Metta social organisation, Ko Nyi Pu, said: “Some wards in the town were hit by flooding this morning, and schools have been closed consequently. It appears that schools will have to be closed until the floods subside.”
 
Heavy rain continued in Kyauktaw Township on Monday. Local people in low-lying areas were evacuated.
 
In Minbya Township, 20 schools have also been closed since August 5 as water levels rose in the Lemyo River. Floods forced the closures of nearly 30 schools on Monday, according to locals.
 
Ko Than Toe Aung from Sinohgyi Township in Mrauk-U Townhip said: “The river is swollen, and it has been raining continuously. Our village has been flooded, and schools along the Lemyo River have been closed.”
 
Both the Lemyo River and Kaladan River are above their danger levels, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
 
U Nyo Maung Thein, the administrator of Shwekyin village in Minbya Township, said: “Floodwaters have reached six feet high in the village. It is still raining, and the water level may rise further.”
 
More than 20 schools were also closed on Monday in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships, according to teachers there.

A primary school teacher at Kwasone village in Maungdaw said: “Floodwaters have reached into the village, and we closed the school today for the safety of the children.”
 
Education officer Daw Wai Wai of Buthidaung Township said: “Some schools are closed due to floods. The township administrator has told us to close schools in flooded places. I still don’t know how many schools have been closed.”
 
When asked by DMG, the head of Arakan State Education Department, U Ba Htwee Sein, said he had not yet received reports from the concerned township education offices.
 
Thousands of people have been affected by flooding in Arakan State.