Flood-hit Ponnagyun village battles malaria outbreak

By Admin 15 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

15 July 2026, Ponnagyun

At least 40 residents of Phaungseik Village in the Samatichaung area of Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, have contracted malaria following severe flooding that submerged the entire village.

Local humanitarian organizations said flood-affected residents are facing severe shortages of food, clothing and shelter as relief teams have been unable to reach the remote village.

Although floodwaters have begun to recede, stagnant water, mud and silt left behind by the flooding have led to a surge in mosquito populations. As a result, about 40 villagers have tested positive for malaria.

"The flooding in Phaungseik Village was severe, and water has yet to fully recede in some areas. Around 50 households were stranded by floodwaters for eight consecutive days, leaving them on the brink of starvation. To make matters worse, around 40 people are now suffering from malaria," a rescue worker who visited the village said.

Triggered by continuous heavy rainfall since early July, flooding submerged Phaungseik Village, home to about 50 households, for nearly eight days, depleting local food supplies.

Residents said they urgently need medicines to treat malaria patients, disinfectants to reduce mosquito breeding, long-lasting insecticidal nets and mosquito coils to help prevent further transmission.

In addition to the health crisis, the floods damaged homes, roads and bridges in the village. More than 30 betel leaf farms and over 20 paddy fields, the main sources of livelihood for local residents, were also destroyed.

"Phaungseik Village is highly prone to flooding and is usually inundated during heavy rains. This time, villagers endured the disaster for seven to eight days. The village was already poor, with residents relying mainly on hill farming for their livelihoods. The floods have completely devastated their livelihoods," another aid worker said.

Humanitarian groups also stressed the urgent need for clean drinking water, particularly for children and older people, to help prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea.

Located at the foot of the Bell Ngaryar mountain range, north of Ponnagyun town, Phaungseik Village remains difficult to access. Damaged roads and unreliable telecommunications have prevented humanitarian organizations from delivering sufficient emergency assistance.

Mosquito-borne diseases typically increase across Arakan State during the monsoon season. At least seven deaths linked to malaria and dengue fever have already been reported in Waithali Village in Mrauk-U Township and the Phontharchaung area of Minbya Township.