Over 500 Mrauk-U Twsp villagers face drinking water crisis after floods

By Admin 13 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

13 July 2026, Mrauk-U

More than 500 residents of Maunghnitma Village in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, are facing a severe drinking water shortage after floodwaters contaminated the village’s communal water ponds with saltwater.

Recent heavy monsoon rains caused river levels to rise, submerging much of the village. Floodwaters inundated the two main drinking water ponds relied upon by the community, leaving them contaminated with saltwater and debris.

"We only have two water ponds in our village. Both were completely submerged during the floods, allowing river water and waste to flow into them. Although the floodwaters have receded, the ponds are no longer usable," a local woman in Mrauk-U said.

"Right now, we are collecting rainwater and using it as sparingly as possible," she added.

The severe flooding has affected the entire village. Along with the drinking water shortage, displaced residents are in urgent need of food supplies, temporary shelter, and essential medicines.

As villagers struggle to find clean water, concerns are growing over possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including diarrhea, and skin infections among children and elderly people.

Residents are also worried about mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, as receding floodwaters have left behind mud and stagnant water that could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

"No emergency relief or aid has reached us yet. Villagers are pooling their resources to pump out the contaminated water so we can use the ponds again," a male resident said. "Restoring one pond costs around K3 million, meaning both ponds would require K6 million. But we have no choice because the ponds are completely damaged. Since humanitarian aid has not arrived, we are facing severe difficulties."

Maunghnitma Village is not the only community facing this problem. Several villages along Panmyaunggyi Creek in Minbya Township, including Chinseik Village, are also suffering from drinking water shortages after their communal ponds were contaminated by saltwater.

Continuous heavy rains since 4 July have caused widespread flooding across 10 townships in Arakan State, leaving around 100,000 people in need of emergency food, shelter, clean drinking water, and healthcare assistance.