Inspection tour: Union Ministers inspected dams and water pumpings

The Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, U Min Naung, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, U Khin Maung Yi, Deputy Minister U Bo Bo Kyaw, and other officials inspected the damage to Samon Rubber Diversion Dam and the related water pumping structures in Mandalay Region on the evening of September 29, which had been affected by flooding.

The Union Ministers and party inspected the damage to the Samon Rubber Diversion Dam, and officials from the Department of Irrigation and Water Utilization Management reported on the damages to the soil retaining walls, rock sections, and the necessary repairs for Myo Gyi Diversion Dam and Myo Gyi Main Canal No. (1).

They also discussed the impact caused by heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of Typhoon Yagi that hit during the second week of September, resulting in the overflow of water in various regions, including Mandalay Region and Shan State (South), which severely damaged Kin Tar Dam, Myo Gyi Dam, Myo Gyi Diversion Dam, Samon Water Control Dam, Samon Rubber Dam, and water pumping stations.It was also mentioned that, from September 11 onwards, the inflow of water in Samon Creek caused extensive flooding of facilities, offices, and residential buildings constructed on the Samon River.

This led to the damage of the earthretaining walls on the left side of the Samon Rubber Dam and even affected the Pump House, where the electrical water pumping system was washed away. Due to the damage to the Samon Rubber Dam, it was necessary to repair it in time to restore the irrigation supply to approximately 8,000 acres of agricultural land in the Meiktila Plain region.

Additionally, about 68% of the Samon Water Tunnel construction would need to be completed to continue water supply to the agricultural fields.Deputy Minister U Bo Bo Kyaw explained the plans to implement a new siphon system at the crossing of the Samon River on the left main canal of Kin Ta, as well as the swift action plans for using the water pumping system from the Samon River to supply water to the Kin Ta Left Main Canal.

In response to the clarifications, the Union Ministers highlighted the need for prioritizing tasks and executing them in time for the upcoming seasons, ensuring financial and management-related activities were coordinated with the relevant Regional Governments and Union Ministries.Subsequently, the Union Ministers and party inspected the water pumping facility in the Meiktila Plains, which had been submerged under about 14 feet of floodwater.

They inspected the completed repairs of four 40 pumps, ongoing repairs of four 280-kilowatt motors, and other equipment such as reinstallation of control panels and transformers.On September 29, Union Minister U Khin Maung Yi visited the Meiktila-Kyaukpadaung roadside plantation and observed the survival rate of about 1,500 seedlings planted in a group and 1,000 seedlings in a different group.

He instructed the responsible officials to continue maintaining the plants for long-term sustainability.After that, the Union Minister visited the Myoma forest nursery garden in Meiktila Township, where he inspected the planting of over 120,000 saplings of 11 different species for roadside greening and public distribution. The responsible personnel were also advised on necessary measures to ensure the success of the plantation activities.