Floods destroy more than 20,000 acres of monsoon paddy and maize in Kachin

Floods destroy more than 20,000 acres of monsoon paddy and maize in Kachin
Published 21 August 2019

Until mid-August, floods destroyed more than 20,000 acres of monsoon paddy and maize  plantations in Kachin State, according to Kachin State Government. 

In July, Putao, Myikyina and Bhamo Districts experienced the floods and landslides due to heavy downpours. 

The floods affected 14,304 acres of monsoon paddy plantations owned by 9,473 farmers and destroyed 11,443 acres. The floods also affected 10,876 acres of maize plantations owned by 6711 farmers and destroyed 9,255 acres, according to the Kachin State Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. 

Kyaw Kyaw Win, Kachin State Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation said: “The floods affected 25,238 acres and destroyed 20,747 acres in the whole Kachin State. Defile has made the decline of flooded water slower. The agricultural department plans to help farmers to re-grow the damaged  plantations, using the direct seeding method. 

The floods damaged mine acres of monsoon paddy in Moegaung Township, 15 acres in Naungmon Township and three acres in Dawphoneyan Township. 

After 2004, the water level of Ayeyawady River in Myikyina Township reached 1,228 cm, exceeding its danger mark of 1,200 cm.