More than 500,000 acres of paddy fields were flooded in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Ponnagyun Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships, and over 7,000 people needed to be evacuated.

In the past, only elderly and middle-aged people came to the eye clinic, but now 30 percent of eye patients are children, said an official at the Shwe Garuna charity clinic in Sittwe. 

“Some people drown because they have to go by boat from one place to another due to poor road transportation,”

His visit came one day after he met junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw to discuss the provision of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.

The rattan industry in Arakan State is on the verge of collapse as rattan-ware is being replaced by plasticware, according to rattan furniture producers.

Rural residents are especially targeted for scams, according to online money transfer agents.

“The gold price was K3 million per tical for 24K gold in July. The rise in price is attributed to the junta’s introduction of a 20,000 kyat banknote,”

The detained Muslims are reportedly from refugee camps in Bangladesh and were heading to Malaysia.

Some 550 Muslims imprisoned in various prisons across Myanmar and released in a junta amnesty were reportedly sent back to Arakan State and Bangladesh on August 16 at the arrangement of the junta.

Drug abuse at the mountain is not new, but the number of people who do drugs at the mountain has increased as the hilltop pagoda receives fewer visitors these days

Three months after Cyclone Mocha made landfall over Arakan State, damaged roads and bridges are yet to be repaired in Rathedaung, Kyauktaw and Myebon townships, disrupting transportation for locals.

Myanmar’s military regime has accepted Thai baht as official settlement currency for international transactions and clearing.

As the junta has continued to revoke licences and close business licences, foreign exchange companies have stopped exchanging dollars.

The junta is restricting the humanitarian activities of international organisations, including the United Nations and local social aid groups, for storm victims on the ground.

Arakanese farmers say they are facing difficulties replanting paddy fields that have been hard-hit by flooding in Arakan State.

The Kyauktaw Township Court postponed the ruling until August 29, saying the judge was not present, said family members.

The tax exemption granted by the Thai government on corn exports from Myanmar is set to expire at the end of August, according to merchants.

Daw Nyo Aye was arrested for attending an event to mark the 56th anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State on August 13, and she is currently being held on remand, according to a family member.

Coconuts are in short supply as Cyclone Mocha blew down thousands of coconut trees in northern Arakan State, and dried coconuts are being bought from Thandwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung townships at a good price,