Nwan Ta Flood Control Declared Achieved by Interim Govt, Embankment Breaches Again Within 24 Hours, Locals Urgently Evacuated as Water Rises in Town

Ayeyarwaddy Times September 10 Less than 24 hours after the interim government announced that the Nwan Ta flood in Laymyonhna Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region, had been brought under control, the steel sheet pile embankment collapsed again, causing water to flow back into the town and forcing locals to urgently evacuate to higher ground, it has been learned. The Nwan Ta in Hinthada District, Laymyonhna Township, which had breached on July 30, was repaired and sealed for about 40 days before the interim government announced on September 8 that "the flood path has been brought under control." However, due to the weakness of the embankment and the rising river water, a section about 20 to 30 feet wide reopened on the night of September 9. "The Laymyonhna-Aisaphu road had only a little water left on it yesterday evening. The water started flowing back in last night and rose rapidly this morning. The water is also very strong. The Laymyonhna-Aisaphu intersection is asphalt, so it hasn't eroded immediately. The earthen parts are gradually crumbling. We have to monitor the situation. Everyone needs to be careful," a member of a local social assistance group told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. As of the morning of September 10, flooding in Laymyonhna town and towards Aisaphu has intensified, with water levels in the town rising by more than 3 feet, forcing local residents to continue their urgent evacuation to safety. "It appears that the steel piles, about 20 to 30 feet long, on the side facing the strong current have tilted due to water pressure at the point where the embankment breached and water was being held back. The difference in water level and flow is estimated to be about 2.5 to 3 feet," analyzed Psc Myanmar Off Road, which is studying the flood situation in Laymyonhna. Even as the steel piles of the Nwan Ta embankment were being reinforced with sandbags and sand filling, they tilted due to water pressure, allowing water to flow back in. It is reported that due to this breach of the Nwan Ta, floods occurred not only in Laymyonhna Township but also in Hinthada, Yeji, Ngathinechaung, Kyonpyaw, and Kyaukkon townships, with about 10 deaths and hundreds of thousands of flood victims, and tens of thousands of acres of farmland damaged. Photos: Social assistance groups, Interim government The post Nwan Ta Flood Control Declared Achieved by Interim Govt, Embankment Breaches Again Within 24 Hours, Locals Urgently Evacuated as Water Rises in Town appeared first on Ayeyarwaddy Times.