Maintenance of lakes: Measures to prevent floods on the roads of Yangon

In the recent days, the water level of Inya and Kandawgyi lakes in Yangon exceeded than the set level because of heavy rains.

The Engineering Department (Water and Sanitation) of Yangon City Development Committee is undertaking measures to prevent overflow of water and floods on the roads of Yangon city by diverting water from the said two lakes in a timely manner. 

The set water level of Inlya Lake is 48-ft and that of Kandaw Gyi Lake is 38-ft. The Engineering Department (Water and Sanitation) of YCDC is systematically undertaking measures for the durability of the lakes, prevention of floods and cleaning water in the lakes according to the official of YCDC.

Maung Maung Lwin, Asst. Head, Engineering Department (Water and Sanitation), YCDC, said " Firstly, we keep water to reach the set level of 48 ft depending on the rainfalls. If the water level exceeds 48-ft and the rainfall is heavy, we release water through the sluice gates for the durability of the lakes and preventing from floods on the motor roads. We always monitor the condition of rainfalls and high tide and also maintain the lakes and cleaning and sanitation of the lake water."

Inya and Kandawgyi lakes in Yangon are being implemented as reserved lakes for drinking water if water scarcity and needs are faced in the city due to increasing population and climate change.

Inlya Lake received 64 inches of rain in the short term period of last year and 81 inches of rain in that period of this year.As for Kanday Gyi Lake, it got 69 inches of rain in the short term period of last year and 83 inches in the same period of this year. That’s why,this year's rainfall was more than the short period of last year, according to the official of YCDC.