Since the first week of August, the water levels of the Kaladan River and the Laymyo River have risen due to continuous rains, and surrounding paddy fields have been flooded for about four days, according to farmers.

“The water has risen to about 6 feet. Food shortages are reported due to road blockages triggered by heavy rains since August 4,” said U Nyo Maung Thein, the administrator of Shwekyan Village.

The matriculation examination pass rate of Thet students has increased and education has also improved due to the award ceremonies.

A primary school teacher at Kwasone village in Maungdaw said: “Floodwaters have reached into the village, and we closed the school today for the safety of the children.”

Floodwaters have reached five to six feet high in low-lying areas in more than 20 villages in Minbya Township as the Lemyo River has swelled.

The businessmen said that they have submitted a request for reserve rice to the Arakan State military council to facilitate the people’s livelihood, but they have not yet been granted permission.

At press time, the road section between Tawnaw Waterfall and Mt. Yinkhwe on the Kawkareik-Myawaddy road was blocked for vehicular movement due to a massive landslide.

At least 50 villages in Kyauktaw and Minbya townships in Arakan State are flooded due to heavy rainfall, according to locals.

The exact number of rental bookstores that have shut down across Arakan State is unknown. But in Sittwe, only two such bookstores are open today,

Female activists say the rule of law is broken in Myanmar and that the safety of women is of utmost concern.

The social welfare department will provide 15,000 kyats per month for pregnant women and children under 2 to improve their dietary diversity and for cognitive and physical development, reported Myawady.

The difference indicates a surge in illegal trade between the two neighbours, said ISP-Myanmar.

Junta soldiers and police in eight vehicles raided the KTV venues at just after midnight on July 30 and took the manager and employees to Sittwe’s Myoma police station.

Nearly 10,000 tonnes were used for domestic consumption and other needs, but more than 10,000 tonnes remained unsold, according to the Arakan State Salt Production Division.

A final proposal seeking to designate Mrauk-U as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was submitted by the junta government in December 2021, following a series of delays.

Among 1,538 public schools damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State, repair works for 259 are expected to be completed by the end of August,

“Prices have increased since the plan to issue 20,000-kyat notes was announced. Prices have increased steadily,” 

Local business owners said they have yet to receive loans from the 10 billion kyats loan scheme for MSMEs announced by the junta nearly one year ago.

Trade between the two countries from April to July in the fiscal year 2023-24 stood at US$4.5 million, down from US$11.51 million over the same period in the fiscal year 2022-23.