MOALI DM inspected and coordinated requirements for protection works for riverbank erosion

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Bo Bo Kyaw, accompanied by relevant officials, inspected the emergency protection measures being undertaken in a timely manner at Nyaungdone Island Embankment, a branch of the Ayeyawady River, near Chaunggyi Village in Nyaungdone Township, Maubin District, Ayeyawady Region, where continuous riverbank erosion and bank collapses have occurred since late August. The inspection took place on the afternoon of September 19, and the Deputy Minister discussed and gave necessary technical instructions. The Deputy Minister inspected the emergency protection works being carried out along Nyaungdone Island Embankment at Embankment Mileposts 11/5–11/7 and 12/2–12/3, where riverbank erosion and bank collapses had occurred from late August through the third week of September. The Department of Irrigation and Water Utilization Management is carrying out works using manpower and machinery, including driving bamboo stakes and filling sandbags, strengthening the embankment toe with sandbags and constructing temporary spur dykes. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Water Resources and River Systems Development is undertaking steel-cable-supported riverbank protection, floating-unit construction, and riverbank protection using geotextile materials. Measures are also being taken to reduce flow velocity and current impact in deeper sections of the river by placing sandbags supported by three-bamboo-pole frames and carrying out channel excavation works. After inspecting the ongoing emergency protection works and long-term measures, the Deputy Minister coordinated with the relevant departments and local organizations to ensure necessary measures were implemented and gave further instructions. The Deputy Minister and party then inspected conditions of riverbank erosion along the Toe River, the formation of sandbanks, and ongoing channel excavation works. Officials from the Directorate of Water Resources and River Systems Development reported on the progress of the ongoing works and plans for further implementation. The Deputy Minister subsequently gave necessary guidance and coordinated the provision of required assistance and measures, it is reported.