RANGOON — Heavy rains and flooding hit Burma’s south on Thursday, with at least one dead in Dawei and damage to roads and paddy fields elsewhere, according to locals.
Thet Pai Soe, a Dawei resident, told The Irrawaddy that one man had been electrocuted by power lines after flooding in the area, adding that some local NGOs were organizing food and clothing donations for those affected by the rains.
In Arakan State, there has been flooding in Taungup, Minbyar, Thandwe, Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U Townships, according to Khine Pyi Soe, vice president of the Arakan National Party’s Sittwe branch.
Kyauktaw Township police captain Khin Maung told The Irrawaddy on Friday that the district health department, local police and civil society organizations were preparing for makeshift road repairs and were attempting to reach Sabar Site village, which had been inundated by the flooding.
Kyaukphyu local Ko Tun Tun Naing told The Irrawaddy that some bridges had been damaged by the flooding near Ann Township, where many paddy fields had been ruined and where local villagers were waiting for aid.
The Irrawaddy was unable to make contact with the Arakan State government on Friday, as officials were busy with engagements relating to World Anti-Narcotics Day.
On Wednesday, former government forecaster Tun Lwin warned the public via Facebook that coastal regions such as Arakan State and Tenasserim Division would face flooding as a result of the landfall of Typhoon Kujira, which made its way through the South China Sea this week.