Newly repaired section of Ngawun River embankment collapses for 2nd time, flooding Irrawaddy Region

About 30 feet (9 meters) of a previously repaired embankment in the Ngawin River collapsed again on Sept. 9, which sent floodwater into Ayeyarwady Region’s Lemyethna Township for a second time. “We are conducting rescue and relocation efforts,” a Lemyethna resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. This latest embankment collapse comes one day after the Ayeyarwady Region authorities announced that the breach—that had occurred on July 30—had been brought under control. Flood water in villages located along the Ngawun River rose by about 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) over the past two days, submerging major roads. Some parts of Lemyethna town remain flooded, residents told DVB. “The latest breach has brought renewed flooding before the effects of the first breach have fully subsided,” a resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Rescue workers told DVB that residents are in urgent need of drinking water and food. Several other embankments along the Ayeyarwady, Toe, and Myaungmya rivers—including sections in Nyaungdon, Zalun and Myaungmya townships—are being monitored by the local authorities. Monsoon rains have continued to cause flooding and landslides across Myanmar since July. Recent heavy rains have inundated roads and residential areas across several Yangon townships, with a 13-year-old boy missing on Sept. 9 after being swept away by floodwaters. In southern Shan State, four members of a family were killed during a landslide in Monghsu Township on Sept. 8 after days of heavy rain caused soil erosion and sent mud and debris into residential areas. Flooding has also affected parts of Sagaing Region, including Kale Township, where five people were killed and more than 1,000 displaced in recent weeks. The regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has warned that river levels could exceed danger levels by more than one foot (30 cm) across Ayeyarwady during high tide within the next day. It forecasts rain across Myanmar over the next seven days.