Maungdaw, Arakan State :  Incessant heavy rain last two weeks in northern Arakan inundated most areas and destroyed paddy fields, vegetables, shrimp and prawn projects, roads, and bridges, said a village elder.  

In Maungdaw Township , a bridge connecting Bawli Bazar and Loung Don village tracts was destroyed by heavy rain and floods on July 3. The bridge was 100 feet long made of wood and bamboo by local villagers. Some small bridges were also destroyed on the Maungdaw-Buthidaung Highway , said a trader in Maungdaw Town .

The Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) Chairman of Loung Don village tract along with colleagues arranged to ferry villagers in row-boats  and collected Kyat 100 per head for ferrying once.  Villagers appealed to the authorities to take less money from the passengers, but no one paid heed.

The water levels of different rivers were rising due to heavy rain and here was a rush of water from upstream. Rising waters have inundated many low-lying areas and is causing massive erosion throughout Mayu River in Butihidaung north.

The authorities have to provide funds to implement projects to stop erosion, otherwise the situation will go out of control, said a villager.  

In Maungdaw Township , two-thirds of shrimp and prawn projects have been washed away during heavy rain, said a shrimp farm owner in Maungdaw town.  

Vast areas of paddy and vegetable fields, in Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships have gone under water.