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Uru River overflows, floods low-lying areas in Phakant

Countries
Myanmar
Sources
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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Overflowing water from the Uru River submerged low-lying areas in Phakant yesterday morning, but the flood started to recede by the afternoon.

Five inches of rain fell on Saturday, causing the river to overflow its banks. The flood submerged three low-lying wards and Lonkhin village, said U Kyaw Zwa Aung, an official from the Phakant Township Administration Office.

“We did not have much worries over flooding this year because we dredged the river this year in attempts to prevent floods”, said U Kyaw Zwa Aung.

Low-lying areas of Phakant near the Uru River suffered from flooding. Myoma ward, Kyaukwine was under 5 feet of water, Ngetpyawdaw ward was under about 6 feet of water, Mashi South ward road junction was under 3 feet of water, and a road linking Ayemyatha ward and Sankye village was under 6 feet of water. As the flood waters reached one foot over the suspension bridge in one ward, authorities closely monitored the situation.

Water was a foot above the rope bridge in Ngetpyawdaw ward, and a combined group of responsible persons from the township municipal office and the fire brigade cleared debris and trash to prevent the bridge from being damaged. Similarly, Lonekin village, Lonekin village tract and Ward 4 was under 8 feet of water. Ward 3 was under 6 feet of water, while the floor of the Lonekin old bailey bridge was under 9 inches of water as a group led by the deputy head of the township general administration department and fire brigade personnel cleared debris and trash to prevent the bridge from being damaged.

One-thousand food packets for families taking refuge in a Roman Catholic church in ward 5 that was flooded and 1,250 food packets for families in wards in Phakant that were flooded were cooked and distributed under the arrangement of the township general administration department. Fire brigade personnel alerted flooded households while arrangements were made to have medicine from Phakant Hospital and Lonekin Clinic ready in case of any outbreaks of disease.

“We are making sure that food is available for flooded families even though there was no need for a major evacuation as the flooding was due to overnight rains and people simply moved from the ground floor to the floor above while we continue providing necessary help”, said Ko Aung Kyaw Myint of Yadana Elephant Third Jade Mining company. There were no reports of injuries or damages, but preventive measures were arranged in case of more flooding, it was learnt.

“There is no need for evacuation, but if there is more rain that causes more flooding, arrangements will be made to evacuate the flooded families to Manizeyone monastery in Myoma ward and a monastery in Lonekin village. There is no need to evacuate and set up relief camps. We normally have some flooding in Phakant, and it can be said as a normal occurrence”, U Kyaw Zwa Aung said.

The commander of a local military division and officials of township administration are also going around the affected areas ensuring safety and convenience, including availability of food as well as preparing to provide necessary assistance when waters recede.

Tin Maung Lwin (Myanma Alin)