MANDLAY-Even though the floods caused by the broken embankment on the bank of Ayeyawady River near Shwege Sewage Pumping Station in Amarapura Township, Mandalay Region, is now under control, there are now over 14,400 flood victims, says Director Aung Thiha, from Bridge Construction Group-2 under the Ministry of Construction.
He also said that the steel Piles were being laid to prevent the further flow of water from the Ayeyawady River.
The embankment breakup started on the night of July 19, totally collapsing at about 2.30 am on July 20.
About 6,000 people from nearby villages were evacuated on July 20. The flood then spread to three more villages on July 22, affecting over 14,400 people in 3,662 households, according to figures from the township general administration department.
Currently, some flood victims are camping beside the railway in temporary tents and had requested to transfer to flood relief camps.
Authorities had repaired and lessened the waters and are now trying to stop the flow completely.
The Mandalay-Sagaing motor road had also been repaired and vehicles were allowed to pass through on the road yesterday evening.
Vice President Henry Van Thio, also the Chairman of Natural Disaster Management Committee, Union Ministers, deputy ministers and cabinet members from Mandalay Region Government Committee and Mandalay Mayor Dr Ye Lwin visited the scene again and inspected repair work on July 21 morning.
Flood displaced people are being kept at the 22 safer places including monasteries and ordination halls along the old Sagaing-Mandalay road.
The project, situated in Shwege Village, is being implemented by the Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC).
The project started off, with a loan from the Asia Development Bank, at the same place where the embankment broke.
Mandalay Region Minister for Electricity, Energy, and Construction Zarni Aung said an investigation would be launched into the incident.
According to Kyaw Hsan Myint, a member of MCDC, the company based in China in charge of the project, has claimed responsibility for the embankment collapse.
The Chinese-owned CEEC-HEPDI & CNOOD Company signed a contract worth US$5.56 million after winning the tender in 2018. The project started in December 2018.
