Some 3,400 villagers from nine coastal villages in Arakan State’s Pauktaw and Myebon townships have evacuated their homes in response to an impending storm currently brewing in the Bay of Bengal.

Locals say man-made lakes are being dug in Minbya, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships on a self-reliant basis in an attempt to address water scarcity in the coming years.

A cargo ship carrying cement bags was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port on May 4 in Kolkata and docked at Sittwe Port on Tuesday.

The junta-controlled Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement had suspended the provision of relief items to IDPs in Arakan State since 2022.

“In response to reports on social media about the deaths of clams in Kyaukphyu, we have been measuring the water quality monthly. However, water pollution was not the cause.

“We have built up a large reserve of rice, and have rice sufficiency. So, we would like to urge the public not to hoard rice, and rather just to buy the necessary amount,” said a federation official.

There are over 160 villages in the Bagan and NyaungU region and over 40 villages are experiencing the most acute drinking water shortages.

It costs 30,000 baht to apply for a pink card and CI, said Ma Aye Soe, who has applied for and obtained a CI for herself. 

The best players at this competition will be chosen to represent Arakan State at the 2023 Inter-State/Region U-18 Men's Football Tournament to be held in Naypyidaw,

Corn prices have declined from between 1,300 kyats and 1,500 kyats per viss to 1,100 kyats per viss. The price is expected to further decline due to low demand, said merchants.

A fire at a camp for Muslim internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kyeinnipyin Village, part of Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township, left thousands of IDPs homeless on Sunday as nearly 200 homes were burnt down in the blaze.

“These are the war crimes committed by the terrorist, fascist military. We will continue to fight military dictatorship together with the people,” an ABFSU official told DMG.

Locals in Loikaw are facing difficulties as the junta has imposed bans on deliveries of basic foodstuffs and medicines to the Kayah (Karenni) State capital.

The average price has increased from 4,000 kyats per kilo last year to over 7,000 kyats now, blood clam dealers told DMG.

A depression in the Bay of Bengal will turn into a cyclonic storm on May 10, and move off the Arakan coast, reported the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

“We were released after serving our time. We want for those who remain behind bars for having alleged ties to the AA to also be released.”

The old school, which is located near the Mayu Road in Ballon Kwin Ward in Sittwe, will be moved to a new location because the school grounds are narrow and close to the main road.

The military junta has barred construction of an Islamic religious building in Mee Kyaung Zay Village, part of Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, the villagers said.

The ICJ earlier rejected junta requests to submit a counter-memorial in February 2024, and the regime is set to submit it on May 24.