Water Supply: Irrigation facilities for summer crop plantations

Following the damage sustained by the Sin Thay Diversion Weir due to recent earthquakes and the ongoing reconstruction efforts, water supply for irrigation has resumed from the Right Main Canal of the weir, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation.

During a field inspection on April 14, Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, who also serves as Chair of the National Natural Disaster Management Committee, instructed to restore water supply to farmlands as soon as possible.

In line with these directives, the temporary earthen embankments are being constructed to restore flow, and irrigated water has now been diverted directly from the reservoir through newly dug diversion canals to the Right Main Canal. As of Thursday, the crop plantations can get access to irrigated water.

Similarly, efforts are ongoing to supply water through the Left Main Canal, with about 25% of the work completed. Water supply to that canal is expected to begin by April 23, using pumping systems to transfer water from the catchment area via a newly dug feeder canal.

On Thursday afternoon, Union Minister U Min Naung, together with officials, conducted a site inspection of the water flow from the Right Main Canal into the feeder canals and paddy fields.

Earlier in the morning, Deputy Minister U Bo Bo Kyaw inspected the progress on the efforts to resume water supply through the Left Main Canal. Located near Mezali Kyin village in Tatkone Township, the Sin Thay Diversion Weir (Dahatkone Dam) is supplying irrigation water through the Right and Left Main Canals.

The structure first sustained damage during the major Mandalay earthquake on March 28, and was further damaged by subsequent tremors on April 11. This resulted in significant delays in the water supply, essential for the summer crop season.

In response, the Department of Irrigation and Water Utilization Management has been making strenuous efforts to restore water supply, ensuring that farmers have access to irrigation water in a timely manner.