Yangon River Flash Flood Warnings Issued as Mitigation Measures Begin

THE Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (Yangon) stated that preparations are underway to protect residents from the effects of continuous monsoon rainfall and potential flash floods in the Yangon River region.

Located near the mouth of the Yangon River and the Panhlaing River, a tributary of the Ayeyawady River, Yangon has a population of over seven million. Continu­ous rainfall in the city has caused flooding in some townships, particularly during the waxing, full moon and waning days of the upcoming Taboung period, which falls on 13, 14 and 15 June.

Preparations are un­derway to protect town­ships, villages and dams along rivers, creeks and streams from the effects of flash floods and flood­ing in the Yangon River.

“Due to frequent monsoon rains and storms, we have in­stalled flood barriers in the region and taken the necessary precautions to prevent dams from over­flowing. We have also alerted people living near the dams. The rainfall has only just begun, so there is no cause for concern. In particular, we have de­ployed staff to the dams and are working to reduce the risk of overflow, as well as preparing emer­gency supplies. In the event of an emergency, we will cooperate with local authorities and communi­ties to ensure safety and protection. We urge the public to pay attention to weather conditions and to follow official warnings,” said Deputy Director U Nyan Soe of the Yangon Region Irrigation and Wa­ter Utilization Manage­ment Department.

The Aphauk (Taik­kyi), Pandaing/Dauntgyi embankment (Htanta­bin), Chaung Nyi Ako (Htantabin) and Mok­kyun (Kungyangun) em­bankments in Yangon Region are connected to the Panhlaing River, which flows into the Ay­eyawady River. The pan­daing/Dauntgyi dams have been breached, and the Directorate of Water Resources and Improve­ment of River Systems has warned that if heavy rainfall in Yangon coin­cides with peak high tides, rivers flowing from upper Myanmar through the Panhlaing and Yangon rivers may swell further. This could place dams and nearby wards and villages at risk, and resi­dents have been urged to remain vigilant. — Thitsa (MNA)/MKKS