Widespread flooding hits Mandalay quarters

Widespread flooding hits Mandalay quarters
by -
Aye Lae

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Heavy rain on Monday evening and night in Mandalay has caused ditches and streams to overflow flooding someQuarters of Mandalay, said residents.

Four locations of the Shwetachaung Ditch were broken near the Shanwai Religious Hall along 86th Road between 35th Street and 38th Street inwestern Mandalay, flooding nearby quarters, residents said, and waterin low areas was about two-feet deep.

The Mandalay Municipality repaired the ditch last year, but somerepairs remained unfinished, said a resident of Shanwai Quarter. Thewater made travel on some roads impossible.

Flooding also hit the Thirimingalar bus station on 90th Roaddisrupting bus travel, residents said.

The Panyandaw Stream in Mandalay Myothit also overflowed its bank, andthe Aungpinle, Tuntone and Kantharyar Quarters on 55th Road and 56thRoad were flooded.

“The rain came down starting about 2 p.m. yesterday and it continuedthe whole night,” said another resident.

Meanwhile, the Mandalay Municipality is repairing sections of theditches and streams, trying to prevent more water from flowing into the quarters. The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) is also working onlines in the area, according to residents.

“They are actively trying to repair things. Their effort may bebecause of previous years’ experiences. Last year, they did not dorepair work immediately,” a resident said.

In Mandalay, the Yayni Ditch, the Theingaza Stream, the ShwetachaungDitch, and the Ngwetachaung and Pandawyan streams are causing problemsin many townships.

Mandalay is surround by Maungmagan (in the east), Aungpinle Lake andZaungkalaw Lake (in the southeast), the Irrawaddy River and TakthayInn [in the west], the Madaya River (in the North), and TaungthamanInn and Myitnge River (in the South).

Last year, Mandalay was also flooded because of heavy rain. Floods usually hit areas around Mandalay each year.