Thafan Seik Dam spillway discharge causes Myitnge River to rise, flooding occurs in 5 townships

Ayeyarwaddy Times August 7 It has been reported that the Myitnge River has risen due to the discharge of water from the spillway of the Thafan Seik Dam, as the water level in the dam approached its full capacity, causing floods in five townships. According to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, heavy rainfall is expected in scattered locations across the Sagaing Region from August 7 to 10, with 76 millimeters of rain recorded in the past 24 hours. When water was released from the Thafan Seik Dam in Kyun Hla Township on August 6, the water flowed along the Myitnge River and reached the Kabaw weir downstream, re-entering the Myitnge River. Consequently, local residents and displaced persons living along the riverbanks have had to flee from the floods. Due to the spillway discharge from the Thafan Seik Dam, the People's Defence Force in Shwebo Township issued a statement on August 6, urging residents in villages around the Myitnge River to be vigilant and to promptly relocate their livestock and crops to safety. "It has been raining a bit more in Shwebo. I heard it's raining heavily. Due to the heavy rain and the large amount of water from the dam, villages in Kantbalu are already submerged. The water started rising yesterday and increased more today," said a resident of Kantbalu town. Similarly, it has been learned from the Kin-U Township Information and Public Relations Department that around 1 a.m. this morning, the Myitnge River water flowed into Kin-U Township, forcing thousands of residents from approximately 15 villages to flee from the floods. Furthermore, the Depayin Township People's Administration Committee announced yesterday that six out of ten people who were returning after planting paddy were swept away and died when the river current suddenly became strong while they were crossing the northern stream in Chaung-Yoe village, Inbuu village-tract, Depayin Township. Currently, due to heavy rainfall, the inflow into the Thafan Seik Dam is high, and the water level has exceeded the dam's warning level. The spillway gates are continuously open, and the committee urges villages along the Myitnge River to be especially aware of the flood risks. According to the Directorate of Irrigation and Water Utilization Management, the Thafan Seik Reservoir has a full capacity water level of 545 feet and a storage capacity of 2,794,000 acre-feet when full. The Thafan Seik Reservoir was constructed between 1996 and 1997, resulting in 73 villages, including Kyun Hla town, being submerged. Photo – CMO