Le Myint Na Town Flood Reaches One Week, 6 Surrounding Villages See Further Inundation, Over 30,000 Affected

Ayeyarwaddy Times August 5 It has been over a week since Le Myint Na Town was inundated due to the breach of the Ngwun River embankment exceeding 120 feet, and the water level continues to rise. Six surrounding villages have now been further inundated, bringing the total number of flood-affected people to over 30,000, according to the interim government. Five wards in Le Myint Na Town, along with 57 villages, are currently submerged. The number of flooded villages was 51 on August 4 and 45 on August 2, with the number of flooded villages increasing again today, August 5. The interim government stated that currently, 7,734 houses, 7,858 households, and 32,607 people from five wards in the town and 106 villages are affected by the flood. Furthermore, efforts are underway to repair the two breach points by driving stakes on the right and left banks of the embankment, driving stakes to control the water flow, and blocking the water channels to prevent further water ingress. While the floodwaters from Le Myint Na Town spread to Ayetphyu Village within a day, the water has not yet reached the town of Shwetaungchaung as of this time, according to local residents. "Water has not yet reached Shwetaungchaung town. On social media, it is being said that the flood is severe. Because there are embankments, we are frequently measuring the water level, fearing that the water will overflow the embankments. The water is rising by about four fingers. Even if it crosses the embankment, there is a main road, so water has not yet entered the town. Fortunately, it has not rained since the embankment in Le Myint Na broke. We have to wait and see if the water level will continue to rise," a resident of Shwetaungchaung told Ayeyarwaddy Times. As it has been over a week since Le Myint Na Town was inundated, emergency relief and food supplies are urgently needed for the flood victims. Social welfare organizations have stated that assistance will also be needed for reconstruction efforts once the water recedes. The interim government reported that the water level of the Ngwun River in Le Myint Na Town has now receded by approximately 2 feet 4 inches. Additionally, the Karen Carpenter Bridge, which was washed away by the current between mile posts 5 and 5 miles 1 furlong on the Le Myint Na-Ayetphyu-Shwetaungchaung road, has been replaced with a temporary Bailey bridge, according to the Ayeyarwaddy Region interim government. The breach occurred on the evening of July 30, when two sections of the Ngwun River embankment in Le Myint Na Town, measuring 20 feet and 90 feet, collapsed. Consequently, water began to flow in from July 31, inundating Le Myint Na Town and surrounding villages. Photo – Interim Government, Social Network