Devastating Cyclone Mocha wreaks havoc on Rakhine State's fishing trawlers, urgent aid to restore local fishing industry needed.
Following the devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha, numerous fishing trawlers in Rakhine State have been either destroyed or sunk. Consequently, there is an urgent requirement for financial investment and support to facilitate the restoration of the fishing industry in the affected region, locals said.
The destructive aftermath of Cyclone Mocha extended beyond fishing trawlers and encompassed extensive damage to fishing nets, motorboats, small fishing vessels and other essential fishing equipment, and the assessed value of the damages amounts could be hundreds of thousands of kyats, Ko San Ni, a carpenter who repairs the damaged vessels told Narinjara.
"Fishing villages have been completely decimated. With the destruction of fishing trawlers and nets, the operation of any fishing industry has become impossible. As someone who typically earns a living through repairing boats, I am now unable to mend any vessels and must prioritize repairing my damaged house instead. We, carpenters, along with everyone else, are confronting a multitude of challenges. The storm ravaged our sun-dried fish and cuttlefish, causing losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of kyats ”, he added..
Situated in Pauktaw Township, Thekon village is highly dependent on fishing as its main source of economic sustenance. The village is home to around 2000 residents, who live in 450 households. Unfortunately, the cyclone has wreaked havoc on the area, leading to the destruction of the fishing trawlers. As a consequence, the majority of the villagers are now grappling with unemployment and encountering massive hardship.
Ko San Ni, the Thekon villager also made an eloquent appeal for help. "The devastation inflicted upon our village is immeasurable. Our homes lie in ruins, and our once thriving fishing boats have been completely destroyed. In this trying time, it would be immensely helpful if there could be provisions for a system of installment loans, to support our rehabilitation efforts. With this kind of essential aid, we firmly believe that through gradual recovery, we can restore our village back to normal times.
Similarly, in the village of Soemekyi, located within the Pyaingtaung village tract in Pauktaw Township, the community faced the devastating consequences of Mocha. The turbulent weather conditions unleashed by the cyclone forcefully swept away the fishing boats, leaving behind extensive damages. These losses now present significant challenges for the villagers, as their future livelihoods are at stake, according to U Thu Shwe, a Soemekyi villager.
"The villagers rely heavily on fishing and hillside farming to sustain their livelihoods. Unfortunately, the destructive force of the storm wreaked havoc on our community. The majority of fishing and passenger boats in the village were completely destroyed, with some being swept away by the powerful waves and others left stranded and partially damaged. The entire village now faces a severe food crisis, and every family is united in their efforts to repair and restore their damaged homes to the best of their abilities,”he told Narinjara.
Soemekyi village is home to a population of over 1000 individuals residing in 400 households.
The fishing wharf in Kyaytaw Ywama, a renowned fishing village, situated in Sittwe Township, also sustained significant damage due to the cyclone. According to U Aung Tha Kyaw, a local fishing trawler owner, numerous fishing boats and fishing nets were lost as a result.
"In the village, we have suffered substantial losses in terms of fishing nets. Numerous ships have been swept out to sea, and some have been discovered damaged and stranded. The value of a set of fishing nets ranges from 500,000 to 600,000 Kyats. At this point, nearly everything has been devastated. I, too, am left with the task of earning money by repairing whatever remains usable. Sadly, there are numerous fishermen who have lost everything they owned”, he said.
When Narinjara reached out to U Aung Tin Saw, the Acting Director of the Department of Fisheries in Rakhine State, for information regarding the impact of the storm on the fishing industry in the region, he said that the authorities are currently in the process of gathering damage assessments sorted by township.
"We are currently in the process of tallying the damage at the township level, so we are unable to provide precise figures regarding the extent of the damage at this time”, he replied.
U Tun Thein, the head of the Sittwe District Department of Fisheries, acknowledges the pressing need for collaborative efforts with the government to restore the severely damaged fisheries caused by the recent storm. However, he emphasizes that substantial financial support is still required, to effectively carry out these restoration efforts.
"Everyone, including the government, is diligently engaged in the recovery process. As the extent of the damage is still being assessed, it is difficult to provide an exact estimation. Our concerted efforts are focused on revitalizing the fishing industry at the earliest. However, it is important to note that restoring the industry to its previous state will necessitate substantial financial dedication and investment”, he pointed out.
With the onset of the monsoon rainy season in Myanmar, the swift repair of storm-damaged houses in Rakhine State has emerged as a critical concern. Simultaneously, families residing in coastal regions are facing financial hardships due to the halt in fishing activities.
According to an announcement by the Military Council, Cyclone Mocha struck the western coast of Rakhine on May 14th, resulting in the loss of 148 lives and impacting a staggering 1 million 576 thousand individuals. The cyclone also caused injuries to 62 people and extensive damage to 24,071 buildings, 716 vehicles and vessels. Additionally, 27617 farm animals and livestock perished as a result of the cyclone, leading to an estimated total damage value of 4898.6 million kyats.
