Short-, Long-Term Plans Must Prioritize Embankment Strengthening

 

Vice-President U Nyo Saw delivered an address at a meeting on the repair of the embankment breach, relief and rescue efforts, and rehabilitation activities in connection with overflow of water caused by the subsidence of the embankment due to water flowing through a breach in the sandbar beneath the Ngawun Embankment in Laymyethna Township at the Ayeyawady Region Government Office in Pathein yesterday afternoon.

In his speech, the Vice-President stressed the need to systematically carry out restoration work across all sectors to ensure that flood-affected roads and bridges, electricity and communications networks, schools, hospitals and drinking water systems are restored and returned to service as quickly as possible.

The Vice-President stated that measures must be taken to replant paddy in flood-damaged farmland and that, if the planting season has passed, alternative crops should be cultivated instead. Relevant ministries and the regional government will coordinate efforts to provide seeds, agricultural inputs, necessary assistance and technical support.

He noted that the overflow caused by the embankment subsidence resulted from water flowing through a breach in the sandbar beneath the Ngawun Embankment in Laymyethna Township. He added that the situation had been successfully brought under control without any loss of life, thanks to the prompt and coordinated efforts of the Tatmadaw, departmental organizations, volunteers and residents in preventing further flooding. Meanwhile, the President is providing necessary support for ongoing disaster response and mitigation efforts.

The Vice-President emphasized the need to conduct field inspections of the condition and stability of embankments along the Ayeyawady and Ngawun rivers, systematically deploy water-level monitoring teams, and establish a mechanism to promptly inform the public of any abnormal situations. He also noted that low embankments could be constructed along river courses to help prevent flooding and support river water pumping projects.

He instructed officials to reopen schools as soon as possible once floodwaters recede and stressed that both short- and long-term plans must prioritize the strengthening of embankments.

The Ayeyawady Region chief minister and deputy ministers reported to the Vice-President on the flooding situation in Laymyethna Township, including rescue operations, efforts to reopen schools and hospitals, transport arrangements, rehabilitation activities, immediate repair works, and plans to construct embankments to prevent saltwater intrusion.

The Vice-President reviewed the reports and discussions and fulfilled the needs.

The meeting was also attended by Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win, Lt-Gen Kyaw Lin Maung from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and officials.

MNA/TTA

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