Ayeyawady Regional Government Announces Ongoing Measures to Repair Breached Ngawun Embankment

The Ayeyawady Regional Government has released information on the ongoing measures being undertaken at the site of the Ngawun embankment breach.

The announcement was issued on the evening of August 2 following an on-site inspection by Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Bo Bo Kyaw and Ayeyarwady Region Chief Minister U Aye Kyaw.

According to the statement, Deputy Minister U Bo Bo Kyaw explained the current emergency works being carried out to prevent further erosion and collapse of the existing riverbank embankment. These measures include placing Geo Bags along the riverbank for protection, installing floating log barriers and filling sandbags, and driving floating log barriers on both sides of a 120-foot-wide water inlet in the old embankment before placing sandbags to reduce the force of the water flow.

He also reported on surveying activities and the collection of necessary materials for the protection and reinforcement of the embankment. In addition, plans are in place to deploy Geo Bags and rock-filled wire cages (gabions) to block deep water channels once the required heavy machinery arrives at the site.

The statement said that the Chief Minister coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure the rapid transport of sand and stones from the nearest available sources for the Geo Bag and gabion works aimed at reducing water flow velocity and blocking deep channels. Efforts were also made to expedite the arrival of machinery needed for the emergency operations.

The embankment breach occurred on July 30. Since then, numerous homes and agricultural lands located along the eastern bank of the Ngawun River in Laymyintna Township have been affected by flooding, and rescue and relief operations are still ongoing in the area.