Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Nyaung Chaung IDP Camp in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, report that they have had to relocate to higher ground after their shelters were flooded by heavy rains in recent days.
U Maung Kyaw Thaung, a displaced person from the camp, said, “The camp is flooded. The floors of the shelters are also under water now. Due to the heavy rain, the water level in some areas is so high that we can’t stay there anymore.”
Due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal, the continuous heavy rain from 1 to 5 August caused flooding in the camp as the Thari Chaung and Zee Chaung creeks overflowed their banks and water drained from the fields, raising the water level inside the camp to more than three feet, according to IDPs.
With all shelters flooded, IDPs have currently moved to higher ground, including the railroad line, and are living in makeshift tents covered with tarpaulins, IDPs said.
Caption – Flooded Nyaung Chaung IDP Camp in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State
One displaced woman said, “Water has reached the floors of the shelters. When it is windy, it splashes against the floors. It’s no longer possible to live there. We have started to move our belongings to higher ground. Because of the incessant rain, we have built makeshift tents with tarps to live in”
According to the camp management, there are over 600 families with more than 5,000 people living in Nyaung Chaung IDP Camp. They are in urgent need of tarpaulins and shelters supplies.
In addition, IDPs in other camps such as Myoma Kyaung, Kawi Yadana, Nay Pu Khan, Myothit Hman Kyaung, Thein Pyin and Thayet Oke also reported flooding due to heavy rains, IDPs said.
Sent by Narinjara.