Riverbed Maintenance Key to Reducing Seawater Intrusion

 

Heavy rain­fall caused a breach in the sandbar beneath the Ngawun Riv­er embankment in Lay­myethna Township, Ay­eyawady Region, allowing water to flow through and resulting in a section of the embankment being low­ered. As flooding occurred in wards in urban areas and surrounding villages of Laymyethna Township, as well as villages in Hin­thada, Yekyi and Kyangin townships, intensive relief and rescue operations are being carried out.

President of the Re­public of the Union of My­anmar U Min Aung Hlaing gave necessary guidance at the meeting to operate rescue and rehabilitation against the overflow of Ngawun River due to the flow of water over the low­ered embankment at the Ayeyawady Region gov­ernment office in Pathein yesterday.

Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Aye Kyaw reported to the President on the occurrence of over­flowing water from the em­bankment of Ngawun River, inundation at urban areas and schools, intensifying rescue and relief opera­tions, healthcare services, prevention of erosion, dis­tribution of fuel to vehicles from charity organizations which work rescue and re­lief measures, plans to evac­uate the people from Kyon­pyaw Township, receding of water, reopening of schools, and preventive measures of seawater in rivers of Ay­eyawady Region.

Union Ministers U Min Naung, Dr Thet Khaing Win, U Mya Tun Oo, U Myo Thant and Dr Soe Win also presented reports on efforts to prevent floods with plac­ing geobags and sandbags starting from 31 July, ac­tivities of mobile medical teams for flood-affected people, supply of water and food, storage of quality pad­dy seeds for recultivation, participation of personnel from relevant ministries in repairing the embank­ment, and maintenance of railways and transport ser­vices when water recedes.

The President asked about the construction and maintenance of the original embankment and Ngawun embankment, the situation of flooding that occurred previously in Ayeyawady Region due to breaches in embankments, causing damage in current flood­ing, and providing aid for flood-affected people.

Speaking on the occa­sion, the President said that if the flooding persists for an extended period, it will cause greater damage to people’s livelihoods and ag­ricultural activities. Hence, systematic measures should be taken to facilitate the rapid drainage and re­cession of the floodwaters that have overflowed into the affected areas.

The President stressed the need to conduct system­atic research to protect the Ayeyawady Delta region from seawater intrusion and to ensure that all wa­ter flowing down from the upper reaches of the rivers can flow along the natural waterways without entering residential areas. If the bed levels of rivers and creeks are properly maintained, seawater intrusion can be reduced to a certain extent.

He noted that the rising bed level of the Pathein Riv­er has currently reduced the ability of large vessels to enter the river. Products from Ayeyawady Region can be transported by large vessel via the Pathein Riv­er, while goods required for domestic consumption can likewise be handled through Pathein Port. Therefore, efforts should be made to develop Pathein as the country’s second port city.

The President under­lined that rivers can be used not only for transport but also for agricultural activities through river water pumping projects. In ensuring the availability of freshwater required for agriculture, system­atic measures should be taken to prevent seawater from intruding into rivers and creeks. To ensure an adequate supply of fresh­water, solar-powered river water pumping projects can also be implemented during the summer sea­son.

He stated that Ay­eyawady Region, rank­ing first among the six regions with the highest GDP, should make to fur­ther increase its GDP and promote economic devel­opment.

The President urged all to ensure the develop­ment of an educated and skilled human resource base that is essential for effectively utilizing the re­gion’s favourable natural resources and conditions.

The President out­lined that those respon­sible for each respective region should make sin­cere and dedicated efforts, using all possible means to promote the development and well-being of their re­gions, thereby contribut­ing to the interests of both the region and the country.

Also present at the meeting were Command­er-in-Chief of Defence Ser­vices General Ye Win Oo, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Com­mander-in-Chief, the com­mander of the South-West Command and deputy ministers.

The President and party flew over Kangy­idaunt, Ngaputaw and Thaboung townships in Ayeyawady Region by hel­icopter and gave neces­sary guidance to officials.

MNA/TTA

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