Because the monsoon rains have not yet reached Minbya Township in Arakan State all the local water ponds have dried up and residents are facing water shortages, said U Thein San a Minbya Town resident.
He said: “It is difficult for us to get drinking water and non-drinking water. We have been buying big bottles of drinking water for 700 kyats. Though it does not affect rich people it is a burden for the poor.”
People have been facing water shortages in the last week because all 35 ponds in the area have dried up. The fire brigade, the municipal department, community based organisations and individual donors have been collecting water from all available sources and delivering it to the townspeople.
The fire engines are delivering water from the Nga-Sin-Yine and Pan-Pong-Soan dams near Kyain Mountain in Minbya Township, while boats are bringing water from the Lay-Myot-Chaung Stream.
Local people have also asked the authorities in nearby Mrauk-U Township to help alleviate Minbya Town’s water shortage.
Minbya town has a population of about 50,000 people living in 10,000 households in three wards.
U Thein San said he believed that the drought was caused by deforestation, the disappearance of the mangrove swamps and offshore oil and gas extraction.
Ponnagyun Township about 20 miles from Minbya Township is also facing a water shortage.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
