Search continues for three missing as expanding Ngawun Dam breach inundates Ayeyarwady Region

Emergency rescue teams in Ayeyarwady Region’s Lemyethna Township continued a search operation on Tuesday for three residents swept away by surging floodwaters following the breach of the Ngawun Dam. The disaster unfolded on Aug. 2 when swift currents swept away at least 14 residents as floodwaters inundated surrounding communities. Search and rescue personnel successfully rescued 11 individuals on Aug. 3, but three remain unaccounted for. “The water levels are still rising. Electricity and telecommunications towers have been damaged by the flooding, making it difficult for residents and rescue teams to communicate,” said a rescue team member on Aug. 4. Widening Breach and Infrastructure Damage The crisis began on July 31 when heavy monsoon rains triggered an initial 50-foot (15-meter) breach in the Ngawun Dam embankment. Local aid organizations report that strong flood currents have since widened the gap to between 120 feet (37 meters), significantly increasing the volume of water flowing directly into low-lying residential and agricultural areas. At least 20 residential homes have been destroyed by torrents, and an unknown number of domestic livestock and pets remain missing. Severe damage to local power grids and cellular towers has crippled communications across much of the township, complicating emergency coordination and delaying relief delivery. Impact and Relief Operations Snapshot Figures released by local administrative bodies outline the scale of displacement and infrastructural disruption across the river basin: Lemyethna Flood Impact Overview ├── Affected Population: 14,056 residents across 3,215 households ├── Inundated Zones: 5 urban wards and 14 rural villages ├── Structural Destruction: At least 20 homes leveled; power/telecom towers damaged ├── Education Impact: 74 basic education schools closed since August 1 └── Emergency Response: 9 temporary relief shelters established for evacuees Volunteer networks, local charitable groups, and emergency personnel continue to carry out boat evacuations, relocating stranded families from submerged homes and rural monasteries to temporary relief shelters. Nine emergency shelters have been established across the township to accommodate displaced families, where volunteers are distributing drinking water, dry rations, and basic medical supplies. However, rescue workers emphasize that additional boats and emergency supplies are urgently required as floodwaters continue to expand into neighboring agricultural zones. The post Search continues for three missing as expanding Ngawun Dam breach inundates Ayeyarwady Region appeared first on DVB.