The Paletwa Township electricity distribution department announced on Thursday that they would no longer be able to provide electricity to the town as the last of the township’s diesel fuel supply had run out.
The fuel is used to power a generator because Burma’s national electricity grid does not reach Paletwa. Residents of Paletwa town typically have four hours of electricity per day, provided by the diesel-run generator.
Awng Law Har, a General Administration Department (GAD) officer for Paletwa, told Khonumthung News that 120 barrels of diesel fuel were available in Sami town, but that they could not be transported to the town of Paletwa due to ongoing regional instability.
“The remaining fuel has already run out here,” he said. “An armed group has a presence on the road between Sami and Paletwa. We have waited for a week [to try to transport the fuel to Paletwa],” he added, referring to the Arakan Army.
The Burma Army has frequently clashed with the Arakan Army in Paletwa Township in southern Chin State. All roads have been cut off linking Paletwa to Rakhine State, as well as to the town of Sami.
The road blockages have led to shortages of food, fuel, and other household goods in Paletwa.
Due to diesel shortages, people in Paletwa have faced frequent electricity blackouts throughout the month of September.