Ayeyarwady Region, protected by embankments from floods, prepares for natural disaster response measures

It is known that natural disaster response measures are being prepared in Ayeyarwady Region, which is protected from floods by embankments. Currently, in Ayeyarwady Region, the government, parliament, and local organizations are undertaking natural disaster response measures in preparation for the rise in water levels of the Ayeyarwady and Ngawan rivers. Speaking during an on-site inspection of ground measures, Chief Minister U Aye Kyaw stated, "As Ayeyarwady Region is a delta region, it receives all the rainwater from the villages in the upper Ayeyarwady region and the villages in the Chin Dwin River basin. During the rainy season, when heavy rainfall occurs in the plains of the upper Ayeyarwady and Chin Dwin river basins, a large amount of river water is carried to the Ayeyarwady delta region, causing the river to swell. Since Ayeyarwady Region is a flat, low-lying plain, it is exceptionally suitable for agriculture, but if the Ayeyarwady River and its tributary, the Ngawan River, flood, the flat agricultural lands will be submerged. Therefore, these flat agricultural lands, which are exceptionally suitable for agriculture, are protected by embankments. It is important that these flood protection embankments, which protect these valuable agricultural lands, are not damaged during the paddy cultivation season in the rainy season." The Chief Minister instructed farmers and local residents to comply with embankment laws to ensure the long-term sustainability and prevent damage to the embankments that protect their region's interests. Regarding the parliamentary activities, the Chairman of the Joint Committee and Regional Parliament Representative U Kyaw Win Naing responded, "In 1974, the Aye Pauk embankment broke, and nearly half of the townships in Ayeyarwady Region were flooded. In 1991, the Htain Ngu embankment broke, and about 9 to 10 townships experienced flood disasters throughout the rainy season, affecting the socio-economic lives of farmers and causing great hardship to local residents. In 1997, the Kywel Ta Gon embankment broke, but it broke just before the water receded, so there was no major damage. Only a few townships suffered minor impacts. To prevent such disasters from happening again, I submitted a proposal to the parliament. The parliament also formed a Joint Committee. We are conducting on-site inspections and supervising in cooperation with the relevant departments to ensure the strength and safety of the embankments." The Chief Minister urged that natural disaster management committees are being formed at the regional, district, and township levels, and that the cooperation of the public, not just government departments, is necessary. An official from the Hinthada District Network Social Assistance Association stated, "Our region is the upper part of the Ayeyarwady. We have built embankments to protect the lives, homes, and property of the local people, as well as their cultivated acres, from flood damage. These are areas that require attention every year regarding natural disasters, so it is important to be prepared with advance preparations, necessary actions, and emergency responses. We have established connections with brotherly volunteer organizations within and outside the region since before. Based on the experiences of previous years, the office has also prepared necessary natural disaster relief vehicles and supplies, as well as speedboats. We are also coordinating with the fire department to conduct flood rescue drills." The Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of Waterways stated that there are 64 embankments in Ayeyarwady Region, with a total length of 1321.67 miles, protecting over 1.7 million acres from floods. Among these, there are 8 important embankments to protect against river floods during the rainy season, which protect over 1.1 million acres from flood hazards with a total length of over 400 miles. Aung Kyaw Myo (Hinthada)