Maungdaw: Uprooted trees and landslides caused by torrential rains have blocked the Maungdaw - Buthidaung Road, cutting off traffic on the western Burma border.

"Two large trees have fallen across the road and are blocking it near the six-mile marker, and a mudslide from the new mountain road being constructed over the large tunnel known as Taung Khaung Gee, has blocked the tunnel and nearby areas," said a car driver.

Neither cars nor pedestrians are able to cross between Buthidaung and Maungdaw as the tunnel is covered by knee-deep mud, he added.

A woman passenger from Maungdaw said she had to cancel her trip to Arakan's capital Sittwe due to the road blockages.

"I was going to Buthidaung in my car for my trip to Sittwe early this morning, but the road is blocked by some large trees uprooted by heavy rains, and I was unable to proceed," she said.

The 16-mile long Maungdaw - Buthidaung Road is the only connection between Maungdaw and other parts of Arakan State. The road was built by the British during colonial rule in Burma for military use.

An official from the Maungdaw municipal office told Narinjara that it will take at least four days to clear the blockages.

According to local residents, the road itself is very old and has started to deteriorate badly in the last three years. It often suffers cracks and washouts in heavy rains due to lack of systematic repairs or proper asphalting.