58 Mandalay villages likely to experience water shortage

woman-shack-ayeyarwady-rive A woman walks in front of a shack on the bank of Irrawaddy river outside Mandalay in January last year. Photo: AFP

29 JAN 2021 - Source: Myanmar Times - Up to 58 villages in Mandalay Region is likely to experience water shortage in the coming summer months, said Region Rural Area Development Department's Director U Soe Than.

The 58 villages will cover 10 townships including Taungtha and Nwartogyi townships, which usually experience water shortage problem, he added.

"Because of drought, some villages didn't get enough rainfall during the last rainy season. There is no water in rainwater collection lakes," he said. "That's why we are expecting up to 58 villages to experience water shortage for this summer and we are worried the number might increase." "Preparations have been made on our side to provide help for the upcoming shortage," he added.
In summer 2020, a total of 15 villages asked for help wit regard to drinking water problems.

In cooperation with respective township administration teams, fire engines, water trucks, and vehicles from philanthropic organizations are distributing drinking water to villages asking for help. Construction of mechanized wells, water collection lakes and piping networks in villages usually experiencing water shortage in summer are being carried out with Regional and Pyidaungsu Budget funds.

Over K2.8 billion (US$2.10) will be used for access to water in rural areas of Mandalay Region for this year. Over 140 water supply operations such as digging and construction of pumping wells, small water wells and lakes rehabilitation and reconstruction, will be carried out in all the region's 22 townships.

The budget will also include upgrading of water pipes and construction of rainwater harvesting lakes. The Mandalay Rural Development Department has already carried out a total of 78 water supply operations in 76 villages of 13 townships were are suffering from a shortage of water using over K90 million of region's allowance funds for this year.

Mandalay is located in the country's so-called dry zone, which also includes the neighbouring Magwe, Ayeyarwady and Sagaing Regions. These areas experience drought during the summer months. Based on the Myanmar government's estimate, there will be water shortages in 463 villages in 116 townships across the nation, including 90 villages in Ayeyawady Region, and 60 in Sagaing Region. - Translated

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