People in Arakan State are being urged to make preparations for the El Niño weather phenomenon, with irregular rainfall, high temperatures and the potential for drought expected over the coming months.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) taking shelter at displacement camps in Kyauktaw town say they have been forced to work at government offices for no pay since early this year.

A 17-year-old disabled girl in Konbaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Myebon Township, was raped last week and the alleged perpetrator was reportedly arrested by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), according to local residents.

While locals may insist that there is no drug production in Arakan State, at present the local trade of drugs is gradually increasing.

Thailand has offered to buy 90 percent of the avocados produced in Myanmar this year, according to the Myanmar Avocado Producer and Exporter Association (MAVO).

The Myitta Uyin Pyinnyar Dana Charity Home in downtown Kyauktaw, Arakan State, which provides free education for students from families that have been internally displaced (IDPs), is in need of assistance, according to an official.

A 22-year-old woman, mentally impaired from birth, in Leikma Village, part of Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, was raped on September 30.

Rice prices are rising and locals in Tanintharyi Township are facing rice shortages as Myanmar’s military regime has de facto barred the supply of rice to the area since early October, according to local residents.

The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) has not yet approved the registration of the Arakan National Party (ANP), one of the biggest players in Arakan State politics, nearly seven months after the party applied for registration.

The head of the Fisheries Department in Mon State’s Ye Township was gunned down on Wednesday morning.

Authorities are failing to control the sale of food and beauty products banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Arakan State, according to residents.

Charities and social organisations in Arakan State for about a year have been applying to the military regime for registration in order to carry out humanitarian operations, but there have been delays in obtaining permission, according to association officials.

Many of those who lost limbs due to landmines or explosive remnants of war (ERWs) as a result of conflict between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State are struggling to survive.

As the export of betel nuts from Arakan State to Bangladesh has been banned, demand is decreasing and betel nut farmers are facing losses.

Roads and bridges damaged by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State are yet to be repaired more than five months after the devastating storm hit the state, according to residents.

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday again sought to assure the Myanmar people that his military government will organise a free and fair election that reflects the genuine will of voters.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) in downtown Kyauktaw’s displacement camps whose shelters were destroyed by Cyclone Mocha are building makeshift tents on a self-reliant basis, according to IDP camp officials.

Local fishermen in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, are facing livelihood hardships as the Myanmar Navy has banned them from fishing in waters off the coast.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing vowed to uphold the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Myanmar’s peace process and urged non-signatories to sign the deal as he addressed an anniversary event for the peace pact on Sunday.