Myanmar flood submerges Ponngyun IDP camp, displacing over 1,000 and triggering urgent need for aid
Heavy monsoon rains and runoff from nearby hills have submerged an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp with more than 200 households in Ponngyun Township, Rakhine State, displacing over 1,000 people and prompting urgent appeals for emergency assistance.
Flooding began on 16 June following continuous rain, and by 18 June, water levels had risen significantly in the camp area, which is located along a natural waterway.
A representative from the Ponngyun Youth Organization said the camp was overwhelmed by floodwaters coming down from the mountain, forcing families to flee without their belongings. The camp’s residents have been living there for more than one and a half years after fleeing fighting between the Arakan Army and the military junta.
“When we went to inspect this morning, everything was gone—pots, bowls, blankets, bedding. People are now left with nothing,” said a volunteer who visited the site. The displaced people are now in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, and basic supplies.
As of the afternoon of 18 June, rain continued to fall in Ponngyun Township. The situation is still being monitored by local youth organizations, including Pauktaw Youth Organization.
According to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), strong monsoon winds are prevailing in the Bay of Bengal, with a low-pressure system developing near southwestern Bangladesh. Rainfall is expected to continue across Myanmar through the evening of 18 June, with heavy downpours likely in parts of Bago, upper Sagaing, and Tanintharyi Regions, as well as Rakhine, Kachin, Karen, Chin, and Mon States.
The DMH also warned that cumulonimbus clouds are forming in several regions and states, including Rakhine, bringing risks of strong winds, thunderstorms, lightning, and hail. Residents were advised to take necessary precautions.
The National Unity Government’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management also issued a weather alert, stating that heavy rain is likely in Sagaing Region and Kachin, Shan, Rakhine, Karen, and Mon States on 21 and 22 June. It urged people living near rivers, dams, and reservoirs to closely monitor forecasts and remain alert to the dangers of flash floods or sudden inundation caused by dam releases or breaches.
Local humanitarian organizations say the affected families are currently sheltering in nearby elevated areas and require immediate assistance. They have called on humanitarian groups to respond swiftly before the weather worsens and access becomes more difficult.
