Riverbank erosion leaves 18 households homeless in Minbya

By Admin 15 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

15 July 2026, Minbya

Severe flooding in Minbya Township, Arakan State, from 7 July to 12 July caused extensive erosion along the Laymyo River, destroying at least 18 homes across three urban wards and leaving dozens of other households at risk.

The destroyed homes included three in U Soe Tint Ward, five in Lanmadaw Ward and 10 in Shwepyisoe Ward.

A resident assisting affected families said at least 40 more households remain at risk as riverbank erosion continues.

"There are no fewer than 40 households that remain vulnerable to further riverbank erosion. Families whose homes collapsed are now staying with relatives or at local monasteries. While houses can be rebuilt, many have lost the land on which they stood, leaving them with nowhere to rebuild and causing great hardship," he said.

Minbya town experiences riverbank erosion almost every year due to the strong currents of the Laymyo River. Residents said assistance for families who lost their homes remains limited.

Local residents also said retaining walls built by previous governments failed to prevent the annual erosion because of poor construction and inadequate engineering.

They called on the United League of Arakan to build properly designed retaining walls to provide a long-term solution.

"Riverbank erosion happens every year in Minbya, leaving many people homeless. Previous governments built retaining walls, but they were not properly designed, so the erosion continued. We want the United League of Arakan to implement a systematic plan to address this problem," another resident said.

The Wai Hun Aung Philanthropic Group has provided K10 million in emergency assistance to families whose homes were destroyed by the erosion.

Continuous heavy rainfall since early July has caused widespread flooding across at least 10 townships in Arakan State, resulting in riverbank erosion, damage to homes, thousands of acres of farmland, roads and bridges.