Heavy Downpours Continue to Batter Arakan State       

By Su Myat Mon 13 June 2016

RANGOON — Heavy rain and severe flooding continue to devastate parts of Arakan State, a spokesperson for the Arakan State Government, told The Irrawaddy on Monday.

Four women in Taungup Township, a man in Thandwe Township and a student in Ann Township were killed by deadly deluges on Sunday, according to spokesperson Min Aung. However, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has reported a different figure of four total deaths in the region for the month of June.

In terms of damage, 155 households were destroyed in Ann Township, while in Thandwe Township the heavy downpours have caused water levels to rise seven feet, Min Aung added.

Arakan State’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Electric Power, Industry, and Roads and Communications reportedly intend to visit flood-affected townships to deliver aid, including food and material for building houses.

Since the beginning of June, several other parts of Burma have also been struck by severe rainfall. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has reported that natural disasters have claimed the lives of two people in Pegu Division, two people in Sagaing Division, one person each in Magwe and Irrawaddy divisions and one person in Kachin State.

More than 5,000 households in total have also been affected by flooding, with some homes having been completely submerged and others rendered essentially unlivable.

With the La Niña weather pattern looming, it is likely that Burma will continue to be hit by extreme weather in the coming months.