22 July 19 - Source: Global New Light Of Myanmar - The level of water in the Ayeyawady River, which crossed the danger mark on 21 July in Mandalay, is expected to recede over the next few days, according to the upper Myanmar weather bureau.
"The river stopped rising on Sunday. We forecast the water level will recede about 2 centimetres on 22 July. It will fall below the danger mark after 24 July," said U Kyaw Lwin Oo, the Director of the Upper Myanmar Meteorological and Hydrological Department.
On Saturday, the water reached 1,285 cm, 25 cm above the danger mark, but the level remained unchanged the rest of the day. The water level in the river had reached a record of 1,382 cm in 2004.
"The embankment in Mandalay is safe until the river water reaches 50 cm above the danger mark. But, areas where the embankment is lower, especially in Amarapura Township, should be on alert for floods," U Kyaw Lwin Oo added.
The current water level does not pose a threat to residents as the embankment is higher than in 2004, he said. The Mandalay City Development Committee has collected over 30,000 sandbags as part of preparedness for possible flooding.
Swollen Ayeyawady forces five schools to close in Myinmu
With the water from the Ayeyawady River entering low-lying areas in Myinmu, Sagaing District, five schools have been closed as of 21 July. The authorities are making arrangements to help ensure that the studies of more than 840 school children from the five schools are not disrupted. Yesterday, the water level in the river had reached 1,146 cm, 4 cm below the danger mark.— Khaing Sat Wai/ Aung Soe Pe (Myinmu) (Translated by KZL)
