May 23

DUE to strong winds on the than 1000 medical doctors evening of 21 May at about 31 nautical miles northwest of Kyunthaya Island in Rakhine State, five trawlers sank in sea, according to the Rakhine State Government.

“It was a squall at around one o’clock in the afternoon all over Rakhine State; There were some boats sinking and many houses were damaged at Kyunthaya Island,” said U Hla Oo, a resident of Manaung.

The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology released a statement on 21 May stating that the cyclone has weakened and moved towards to the northern Thailand.

“Due to the heavy winds, three trawlers from Kyunthaya village and two more trawlers from Pyinwaing village, and all 13 people who sank with the boats were searched and rescued by the people and they all have arrived back home,” said U Kyaw Sein Tun, a rescue worker.

Although some trawlers were reported sunk near the Ngapathon Island in Myebon Township, no one was killed. Those who were injured in the rescue work were taken to Ngapathon Hospital.

Residents of Thandwe, Kyaukpyu, Myebon and Sittway make a living by fishing and the notice of the village administrator to not go to the sea was weak, locals say.

“Everyone is in the sea right now. Despite the weather forecast on TV and radio, local authorities did not provide advance notice. This is what almost all trawlers have to deal with,” said Daw Yi Yi Win.— TWA/GNLM