At least 221 houses including few Buddhist temples were washed away in the recent wave of flood that swept the southern part of Arakan. The torrential rain reported between 10 and 12 June 2016 in the western part of Burma (Myanmar), according to the ministries of social welfare, relief & resettlement.
“The last wave of flood rendered over 1000 people from 12 villages under Thandwe township homeless in south Arakan,” said a government official.
One monastery, two Dhama halls, one shrine temple and a primary school building along with 45 residential houses from Ray Kauk village under Thandwe township were washed away by the flood water. Similarly another affected village named Parite reported the complete damage of 111 residential houses (out of total 115 in the village).
The severely affected villages including Shwe Lay, Pauk Taw, Chaung Gon, Aouk Netmaw, Ray Kout, Parite, Su Boke,Bura Maw, Chin Dwin are situated on the bank of Tahtay Chaung creek. The excessive water flow in the creek inundated the villages causing massive landslides and damages of crops & domestic animals.
An affected villager claimed that the flood situation worsened because of a government sponsored hydropower project, which is under construction for some time on the Tahtay Chaung creek.
Late report narrates that 8 houses in Ganan Daung village under Ann Township were collapsed due to the landslide on 10 June. Similarly, in Kyauk Khout village under Minbya township, 34 houses were destroyed by tornado, rendering 100 villagers homeless.
The affected villagers are demanding urgent reliefs as well as shelter-homes in the State. They also asked the authority to start preparatory works for the coming months, where more rains as well as another few waves of flood may emerge.
