Arakan News Agency | Exclusive
Torrential rains in Maungdaw, a town in western Myanmar’s Arakan State, over the past three days have caused widespread flooding in villages, schools, and roads, and led to the tragic drowning of two women.
Local residents told Arakan News Agency that the victims were Ma Ai Ai Than (27) and Ma Yaung Chi (28), who were swept away by floodwaters while on their way to deliver food to the husband of the first woman, who was fishing at the time. Their bodies were found later.
The heavy rainfall, which lasted from July 4 to 6, submerged several villages including Pohmaw and Thaya, and caused significant damage to roads, schools, farms, mosques, and monasteries in the area.
Flooding also destroyed a key 13-mile road connecting northern Maungdaw with Taungpyo, rendering it impassable and causing severe hardship for residents.
Driver Maung Tin Win said: “The road was already in poor condition before the rain, but now it’s completely unusable. Driving has become extremely difficult, and some vehicles are stuck. Repairs will be very expensive.”
Locals noted that the damaged road is the only route leading to Taungpyo market, resulting in increased transportation costs and longer travel times, especially with no alternative routes available.
Since May 26, Arakan State has been experiencing intense rains and flooding, submerging Rohingya homes and lands in Maungdaw. In June, several towns across Arakan including Kyauktaw saw massive flooding due to continued downpours.
