Beware of dam failures

Beware of dam failures

Recently, downpours caused floods in some parts of Myanmar, especially in the places where rain is normally very few this unusual weather phenomenon was generating inundations to the level that had never reached before. Hence, broad-range rescue efforts are underway to save the victims in time. Uninterrupted torrents pushed towards forced opening of vaults at Minmyin Dam lying in the area between Kanbalu and Kyunhla townships in Kanbalu District, Sagaing Region, to prevent dam breakdown that might be even more disastrous if occurred. Anyhow, the released water had already triggered landslides and terrible floods in the nearby areas. Moreover, continuous downpours broke up about a 150 feet long section of Thitkhe creek dam near Kaukkyin village, Butalin township. Kawlin township and parts of Shwebo- Myitkyina highway were not free from inundations.

Because of heavy rains in many parts of the country including in arid zones, 12 overfl owing reservoirs – Yaybok dam, Kintat dam, Theinyin dam, Razagyo dam, Minmyin dam, South Nawin dam, Mann dam, Kyeeon-Kyeewa dam, Pyaing creek dam, Banbwegon dam, ZarmaniInn dam, and Kanyin dam -- had to release water from their vaults as an emergency measure. Relevant government departments, Tatmadaw members and social organizations were conveying the victims and their belongings to safer places or higher grounds and providing them with necessary aids. As Kanbalu- Kyunhla-Kawlin motor road and Mandalay-Myintkyina railroad came to a halt due to floods, helicopters and boats were used for rescue operations and transporting first aids, medicines, food, water and other emergency aids to the flood hit areas. Tatmadaw members were repairing the broken parts of the damaged dams.

On 21 July, President U Thein Sein visited the flooded areas, warmly met with victims, looked into their requirements and comforted them.

Crops were also damaged in the areas. Locals had to leave their homes and are staying at the refugee camps. One important thing rescue teams aware of is the health problems that usually follow after the floods had receded. So they will have to take preventive measures against possible health problems, especially the ones carried by waterborne diseases. In addition to the relevant government departments, Tatmadaw members, and social organizations, the citizens of Myanmar should also render assistance for the flood victims, as their participation is of vital importance in restoring the flood-hit areas and the lives of flood victims who in reality are the countrymen and countrywomen like them.

As the monsoon is still strong in the Bay of Bengal, it may trigger another round of continuous downpours as well as floods in some parts of Myanmar. Here people of the Irrigation Department have become the most important players, as dam failures when occur can cause immense damage and loss of life. The department should make sure that their irrigation facilities are watched round the clock. It should also check the durability of the dams, install a system to alarm the staff before the rising water level reach the danger point, adopt emergency plans, and assign enough staff at each facility so that natural disasters generated by torrents and inundations will not grow into mega catastrophes because of the dam failures.

Maung Than Weik

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

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