Several coastal villages in Mon State are experiencing water shortages due to the recent lack of rain, according to Mon State Rural Development Department.
The most affected townships in Mon State are Paung, Thaton, Belin, Kyaikmayaw, Mudon and Chaungzone townships.
“On February 29, we went to the areas facing water scarcity and monitored the issues. Since March, we’ve been cooperating with the township administrators and helping locals access water,” said U Myo Kyi, director of Mon State Rural Development Department.
U Myo Kyi continued that the villagers from coastal areas couldn’t implement wells due to the salinity of the groundwater. They rely on freshwater from lakes that are now dry because of recent hot weather.
“The villagers in our village have to fetch the water in Lat-tet village using a truck. We load the water on to the truck and drive to the water scarce areas near the village. Those who come to take the water will be charged 500 Kyat per Pi Pa (large barrel),” said Nai Taung Tin, Administrator of Mudon Township’s Ah-kon Village.
Nai Taung Tin added that although there was enough water in the lake in past years, during late April the lake dried and the villagers had to fetch water from other villages. Drought occurred earlier this year compared to last year.
Of the 2016-17 fiscal, the allocated amount from the budget will be reported to the Pyidaungsu-level regional development department to repair the hand-dug wells, big wells and lakes in villages facing drought throughout Mon State.
The villagers in the drought stricken areas can now contact township administrators and the township and village administration officials will help disperse water across the villages.
At the moment, many areas across Burma are facing the highest El Nino. Nine towns in the country have been recorded as having the highest temperature on record, according to the weather and hydrology directing department.
