The Kaladan River between Paletwa in Chin State and Kyauktaw in Rakhine State re-opened to river traffic on 3 December, following the agreement of a ceasefire between the Myanmar junta and the Arakan Army (AA) on 26 November.

The state-owned Yay Nayar 1 ferry has again begun to transport goods between Paletwa and Kyauktaw for the first time since August this year.

Previously, in August 2022, the junta blocked all the roads and waterways between Paletwa and Kyauktaw, cutting them off from each other. Paletwa normally relies on the river to bring in food and supplies, with much of the food in Paletwa coming by river from Kyauktaw.

A Paletwa resident said: “The Yay Na Yar 1 was loaded with rice and went from Kyauktaw to Paletwa, I saw it. It will currently run twice a week. So, the Kyauktaw-Paletwa [river] route is open again. It will be convenient for local residents. I am praying it does not shut again.