Bago River Water Level Decreases Slightly, Flooding Continues in Bago City

In Bago City, Bago Region, although the water level of the Bago River decreased by about one inch on September 4, flooding continues in residential areas, roads, and the old Yangon-Mandalay highway, it has been reported. According to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department's release at 6:30 AM on September 4, the Bago River water level in Bago City has reached 922 centimeters, exceeding the danger level of 880 centimeters. As it has only decreased by 1 centimeter (about one inch) from the highest level of 923 centimeters reached yesterday, flooding continues in residential areas, roads, and the old Yangon-Mandalay highway in Bago City, it has been reported. The water level is estimated to decrease by about 3 inches more within the next 24 hours, according to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department. Regarding the situation around Bago City Station on the morning of September 4, a Bago resident said, "Trains are still running as of this morning. However, motorcycles can hardly pass. There are trishaws waiting to pick up passengers in front of the station. We haven't taken boats yet because the water is still up to our waists. The current water level has dropped a little by about an inch last night. It might be due to the rainfall. You could say it's neither rising nor falling. The sky is dark and it's raining on and off." Yesterday, following the rise in the Bago River water level and heavy rainfall, water entered low-lying residential areas in Bago City, including the Juynthayar, Kalyani, Zayntaw, and Mazin wards. Furthermore, water is overflowing on some sections of the Bago-Yangon highway and on the roads leading from Zaynganaing North Ward to the station. Due to the flooding in Bago City, nearly 500 flood victims from some residential areas that are no longer habitable have been relocated to temporary relief camps since the evening of September 2. It has been reported that some of them have not gone to the designated temporary relief camps but have moved to the homes of neighbors, relatives, or monasteries. Currently, 215 people from Juynthayar Ward, which is no longer suitable for living, have been relocated to the Dharma Hall of Mingalarzeya Monastery; 57 people from Kalyani Ward have been relocated to the Dharma Hall of Kalyani Thein Monastery; 95 people from Zayntaw Ward have been relocated to the lower floor of Kyawsin Monastery and the Dharma Hall of Wengaba Monastery; and 127 people from Mazin Ward have been relocated to the Dharma Hall of Laymyethna Pagoda and the dining hall of Damikarama Monastery, respectively. In addition, 13 primary schools have been temporarily closed due to the flooding. On September 3, the Chief Minister of Bago Region, U Myo Swe Win, and officials inspected the flooded low-lying wards by motorboat and provided lunch boxes, drinking water, cold drinks, and snacks to the flood victims. Furthermore, they presented cash awards to the military units, charitable organizations, and social organizations assisting in flood relief efforts, and donated relief supplies including rice, oil, eggs, and dried noodles to the temporary flood evacuation camps. Zaw Win Chit (Taungoo)