Flood warnings for cities on Thanlwin, Chindwin and Ayeyarwady rivers
26 Aug 2020 - Source: Myanmar Times - Flood warnings have been issued for people living on the riverbanks and in the low lands of the Thanlwin, Chindwin and Ayeyarwady rivers.
U Kyaw Moe Oo, director general of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, said water run-off is flowing from the mountains to the lowlands.
"As in previous years," he said, "water has exceeded the danger level in some areas, particularly along the Chindwin River."
He said the Chindwin River is 3.5 feet above the danger level in Paungbyin, Mawlaik, Kalaywa, Mingin and Monywa townships in Sagaing Region, and the Thanlwin River is 4.5 feet above the danger level in Hpa-an in Kayin State and Hpasawng townships in Kayah State.
He advised villages on the river in Monywa and Hpa-an to prepare for possible flash floods.
Ko Naung of the Mar Ga social welfare association in Hpa-an said 10 temporary shelters have been set up in areas where flooding is expected.
"The river seems just as high as in previous years," he said, "so people expected this situation."
"All civil society and youth groups are ready to help," he added. "Some villages have started evacuating. Flood shelters are not officially opened but some groups have started moving people and livestock."
The Ayeyarwady River in Nyaung-U township in Mandalay Region has also reached the danger level and could continue to rise.
