The Arakan Army (AA) has announced that Cyclone Mocha has caused significant devastation in the townships of Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mruak-U, Minbya, Myebon, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and numerous surrounding villages in northern Rakhine State. According to their assessment, a staggering number of 216681 houses have been destroyed, leaving over 1.2 million local residents severely affected by the cyclone's impact.
"Based on the latest updated list, the current statistics reveal that Cyclone Mocha has resulted in the unfortunate loss of 146 lives. Additionally, there are 10 individuals reported as injured, while 3 people remain missing”, U Khaing Thu Kha, spokesperson of AA told DMG.
U Khaing Thu Kha also remarked that the aforementioned lists were gathered by the United League of Arakan (ULA) and its armed wing, AA, through on-site assessments. However, in reality, the actual number of casualties may exceed the reported figures, he warned.
According to the figures provided by the AA, the cyclone has resulted in 96 fatalities in Sittwe, 4 in Ponnagyun, 2 in Kyauktaw, 37 in Rathedaung, and 7 in Pauktaw, amounting to a total of 164.
Human lives have been tragically lost due to a range of factors, including drowning under tidal waves caused by the cyclone, building collapses, and being trapped under debris.
"In the midst of the storm, we sought refuge in the school building, leaving my son-in-law behind to look after our home. The floodwaters surged, reaching a height of 10 feet in our camp. Once the storm had passed, we returned to the remnants of our house, only to discover the lifeless body of my son-in-law entangled in the debris. Our entire home lay in ruins, destroyed by the relentless force of the cyclone”, said Ko Maung Hla Ni, a resident of Bawduph Muslim refugee camp No.2 in Sittwe Township.
The individuals who sustained injuries during the storm have expressed their urgent need for financial support to cover their medical expenses and acquire essential emergency assistance, to DMG.
Daw Thein Nu Wai, who suffered an accidental head injury while seeking refuge from the storm at the relief camp established at Myo Oo Monastery in Rathedaung Township, also shared her experience.
"In that moment, we were gathered in the chapel. Suddenly, the wind grew ferocious, causing bricks to rain down upon me, leaving me trapped and injured. I suffered a head injury, and to this day, my back continues to ache”, she said.
The impact of Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State was so extensive, resulting in the destruction of 971 schools, 252 hospitals and clinics, and 1507 religious buildings. Tragically, the cyclone also claimed the lives of 15,388 cattle, AA said.
The loss of a massive number of cattle during the onset of the rainy season, a critical time for accelerating agricultural activities, has had a profoundly detrimental impact, local farmers yammered.
"In our village alone, we have lost over 100 cattle. There have been reports of similar losses in neighboring villages as well. The demise of our cattle has inflicted immense anguish upon us farmers. Had we still possessed our cattle, we could have considered selling them to acquire building materials. Sadly, now we find ourselves bereft of everything”, Rathedaung resident U Maung Tha Cho, who lost three cattle, told DMG.
ULA/AA has received a generous donation of over 1000 million kyat from diverse ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), intended to provide aid and support to the people affected by the storm in Rakhine State.
While AA is utilizing these donations to procure and distribute essential supplies like rice and other emergency food, it is evident that further assistance is still greatly required.
According to the announcement made by the Rakhine State government under the Military Council, Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall on May 14th, had a profound impact, affecting 1156796 individuals and causing a significant total damage estimated at 4698.6 million kyats, and killed 148 people.
Photo Caption - AA troops working diligently to rebuild rural homes affected by the cyclone (Credit – Cyclone Mocha ERRCA)
