Aung Paung Laung Dam releases water from spillway as reservoir reaches full capacity

The release of water from the spillway of the Aung Paung Laung Dam in Zeyathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Council Territory, has continued for approximately three days as of today, September 2, and the volume of water flowing from the spillway has increased to nearly five times the initial release volume, it has been learned. According to the statement released by the Department of Irrigation and Water Management, Ministry of Construction (5), at 12:00 PM on September 2, the overflow from the spillway has reached 9,987 cubic feet per second. The Aung Paung Laung Dam began overflowing from the spillway starting around 7:00 AM on August 31, after reaching its full reservoir level. Although the overflow from the spillway was approximately 2,050 cubic feet per second at 8:45 AM on the same day, the overflow from the spillway reached 9,987 cubic feet per second by 12:00 PM on September 2, according to the statement released. This indicates an increase of about five times compared to the initial overflow of 2,050 cubic feet per second on August 31. It has also been learned that the maximum overflow from the Aung Paung Laung Dam spillway in the previous year, 2024, reached 56,681 cubic feet per second, and the current overflow of 9,987 cubic feet per second is still less compared to the highest overflow recorded in 2024. Water is being systematically regulated and released based on the inflow into the Paung Laung Dam, so there is no need to worry about flooding and inundation along the Paung Laung River at present. The structural integrity of the dam and spillway is also in good condition, and further updates will be provided in a timely manner depending on the inflow conditions, according to the Department of Irrigation and Water Management, Ministry of Construction (5). Currently, along the Sit-taung River, where the Paung Laung River converges, and along the Taungoo, Madaw, Shwekyin, and Bago rivers, the river water levels in the respective towns have risen significantly. The Sit-taung River in Madaw, the Shwekyin River in Shwekyin, and the Bago River in Bago have all exceeded their respective warning levels. Due to these water conditions, residents living near the riverbanks and in low-lying areas within Shwekyin Township have been advised to remain vigilant, and residents living near the riverbanks and in low-lying areas within Bago and Madaw townships have been urged by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology to evacuate to safer locations, it has been learned.