The heavy downpour across northern Arakan has also disrupted the smooth transportation of vegetables and other goods to the towns, forcing the traders to raise prices.

"I bought one Viss of sugar today at Kyat 1,800, which previously was between Kyat 1,200 and Kyat 1,300 on the first day of August. How can we survive and maintain a decent life if the prices of essentials go up unabated?", asked a local person yesterday. (one Viss = approximately 1.64 kilograms.)

It has become a tradition for the prices of some essentials to go up during the month of Ramadan. The prices of some vital items have soared in Maungdaw this month, said a farmer from Maungdaw Town.

The wholesalers at Maungdaw Town admitted that rains during the last few days have caused a disruption in smooth supplies of vegetables, leading to the price hike. Villagers, however, expressed hope that the prices of vegetables will come down to a tolerable level within the next few days.

One Viss of edible oil is being sold in the market at Kyat 3,500, while it was only Kyat 2,500 before the floods. One Viss of brown slab-sugar is being sold at Kyat 1,600, while it was Kyat 900. One Viss of edible oil is being sold at Kyat 3,500, while it was Kyat 2,500. One Viss of betel nut is being sold at Kyat 5,000, while it was Kyat 3,000. A 50 kg bag of rice is being sold at Kyat 20,000, while it was only kyat 12,000. One Viss of dried chili is being sold at Kyat 7,000, while it was only Kyat 3,500. One Viss of onions is being sold at Kyat 900, while it was Kyat 500, and one gallon of fuel is being sold at Kyat 4,300, while it was Kyat 3,000 before the flooding, said a trader from Maungdaw market.

Therefore, the people of rural areas of Maungdaw Township have been facing acute difficulties to maintain their families. There has been no support from the government or from any NGOs to the flood affected villagers of Maungdaw Township, said an elder from Maungdaw north.