Heavy monsoon flooding has struck western Myanmar, severely affecting Rakhine and Chin states, where at least three people have died amid rising water levels, according to the humanitarian arm of the Arakan Army, an ethnic minority armed group controlling parts of the region.

Rescue workers expressed mounting concern over the potential for further increases in floodwaters, which could complicate efforts to evacuate vulnerable populations, including the elderly, people with illnesses, pregnant women, and residents of low-lying areas. Bo Aung Thein, a local rescuer in the village of She Ta Lay in Kyauktaw Township, highlighted the challenges posed by the worsening conditions.

The flooding has inundated vast areas of residential and agricultural land. In Kyauk Kyat village, resident May Thein Yaine reported that nearly all of the approximately 200 houses in her community have been submerged, along with the surrounding paddy fields. Another local, Thuzar Aye, voiced fears about the safety of children and families if the water continues to rise overnight, noting that residents may soon have no safe refuge or means of escape.

Myanmar has grappled with extensive instability since the military coup in 2021, which has intensified ongoing civil conflict. The disruption has hindered transport and communication across the country, further complicating relief efforts. According to the United Nations, more than one-third of Myanmar’s population now faces food insecurity, a situation exacerbated by natural disasters such as the current floods.

Humanitarian responders continue to monitor the situation closely, but the combination of armed conflict, infrastructural challenges, and the monsoon’s impact poses significant obstacles to delivering aid and ensuring the safety of affected communities in the western regions of Myanmar.