Yangon Region government’s efforts to prevent floods

June 21, 2017

Spending USD 100 million out of the 125 million to be granted by World Bank, drainage systems in the city will be upgraded in the coming open season, according to Yangon Region government.

Yangon City Development Committee has been trying steadfastly to clear drains in the city and after the new government has taken office, Ks one billion was paid to the private sector to clear the drains. But, the existing drains cannot bear the loads of heavy rains, said Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein.

Yangon was built in the colonial era and increase in the population, water consuming and climate change are the causes of inundating which could not abate immediately in the rainy season, he said. The chief minister noted that Yangon is not the only city to face such situation, and many other cities in the world are also facing similar situation resulted from climate change.

Sidewalks are to be upgraded and the bus stops there are also built to meet international standard and without building the drains, sidewalks and bus stops simultaneously, there may be wastage, he said. There also is a plan to pump the water out from the drains if necessary.

U Min Min Soe who lives in Tamway Township expressed his experience of recent inundation saying that inundation is common in every rainy season; that pedestrians dare not to walk on the pavement as there is no cover in some area.

Yangon mayor U Maung Maung Soe said that drains were cleared last year and Yangon did not experience inundation, and less rain in that year is another reason for not having the floods. But this year Yangon got four inches of rains in two hours and this caused inundation but the water receded after 90 minutes.

As Yangon is situated between Yangon River and Ngamoeyeik Creek, preventive measures against floods have been carried out along the two water bodies. It achieved good results because flooding along Ngamoeyeik Creek could be prevented.

Altogether 1806 roadside drains with the length of 672,195 feet were cleared in one year period and expansion of culverts, building new ones, and constructing brick drains are the proof of the performance of Yangon Region government in one year period.

Moreover, man and machine powers were used to clear drains and creeks in South Okkalapa, North Okkalapa, Dagon Myothit (North), Dagon Myothit (East), Dagon Myothit (South), Dagon Myothit (Seikkan), Ahlon, Kyimyindaing, Bahan, Yankin, Tamway, Mingala Taungnyunt, Bothtaung, Thakayta, Dawbon, Kamayut, Hline, Mayangon, Insein, Hlinethaya and Shwepyitha townships last year and the works are continued this year.

By Zaw Gyi

(Translate by Wallace)

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar