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Title: Myanmar - Tornado (media, DMH) (ECHO Daily Flash of 24 April 2023)
Description: "On 21 April, strong winds and a very large tornado hit central Myanmar (including the capital city Naypyitaw), causing several wind-related incidents resulting in casualties and severe damage. According to media reports, as of 24 April, there are eight fatalities, nearly 130 injured people and more than 230 destroyed houses across Aung Myin Kone and Tadau villages (Naypyitaw capital city greater area, central Myanmar). Moderate rainfall is forecast over the Naypyitaw region over the next 24 hours, but no more strong wind is predicted..."
Source/publisher: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-04-24
Date of entry/update: 2023-04-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Burma’s Indigenous Karen Communities Move to Protect Rivers, Forests
Topic: Climate change, environment, Karen
Sub-title: Communities in rural Karen State don’t refer to climate change by name, but they have experienced its negative impacts and are responding.
Topic: Climate change, environment, Karen
Description: "At the foot of Maw Law Ei Mountain, the highest peak in eastern Myanmar’s Karen State, increasing temperatures, drought and extreme weather events, such as flash-flooding, have become common. Members of the indigenous groups that make up the majority of the population here, talk about the significant changes they’ve seen in both the natural environment and the climate. “In the past, it was cooler because we had many big trees,” said Kyaw Blar, a villager from Ta Deh Koh village, one of the villages at the foot of Maw Law Ei mountain (pronounced Mulayit). “It’s all plain area now… it is hotter now.” Myanmar, also known as Burma, is among the countries most vulnerable to extreme weather events related to climate change. In 2019 Germanwatch, ranked Burma 3rd in its Global Climate Risk Index on the long-term climate change risk table, which analyses quantified impacts of extreme weather events both in terms of fatalities as well as economic losses that occurred in the 20-year period; from 1998-2017 (link here). Yet not many people in rural Karen State are aware of climate change’s direct causes or even use the term to refer to the changes they’re seeing. They are, however, among a growing number of vulnerable people forced to cope with the impacts of extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change..."
Source/publisher: "Karen News" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-11-13
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Partnership for flood response in Myanmar
Description: "Our team in Myanmar partners with communities near the town of Maubin in the Ayeyarwady River delta. When disaster struck in a different part of the country, though, we joined the relief effort led by our ACT Alliance partners. During a two-week period in August, eight feet of floodwaters wreaked havoc in towns along the Zami River in Myanmar’s Karen state. Our ACT Alliance partner, Karen Baptist Convention, responded by coordinating a relief effort for 400 families. CWS joined the response, focusing on 187 people living in Htee Pa Htaw Hto village. In all villages where the KBC-coordinated response took place, families received a month’s supply of staples, including rice, oil, beans, salt and toiletries. This made it easier to cope with the disaster–this time. Having relocated from another area of the country about 20 years ago, residents of Htee Pa Htaw Hto and nearby villages experience floods yearly. However, 2019 has been particularly challenging as extreme flooding destroyed farmland. August floodwaters damaged rice storage containers that held a year’s supply of rice. Paddy seeds for transplanting next season died as well. Lime tree orchards, rubber plants and sesame fields sustained heavy damage. As a result, there is much agricultural work needed to rebuild the area. But rebuilding is no unknown to families here. During the last major flood in 2012, A Phoo Saw (grandfather) Oh Khu led recovery efforts. After a long career as a health assistant, he had retired. Then neighbors elected him as their village leader. So, in reflecting on the past, while appreciating CWS and KBC help, he expressed restrained happiness. “At present, we do not worry for our current basic needs because we received aid. I appreciate the support especially during a crisis like this.” He noted his happiness would be absolute once neighboring families received help, too..."
Source/publisher: "Church World Service" (USA) via Reliefweb
Date of publication: 2019-10-29
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-30
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Two Mandalay lakes to get wetland protection
Sub-title: Mandalay Region’s Sont Ye Lake in Kyaukse township and Paleik Lake in Tada-U will be designated as protected wetlands to conserve them and regulate development, a senior regional official said.
Description: "U Myo Thit, regional minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, said his office will soon meet with local groups, residents and non-governmental organisations to discuss the plan and to ensure technical support and effective management. “We need to hold a meeting to discuss the details,” he said. Wetland ecosystems provide a range of products and services for people through rivers, streams, freshwater lakes, marshes, seasonally flooded plains, and estuaries with extensive mangrove swamps. At least 10 wetland areas need conservation in central Myanmar, including Sont Ye Lake, Pyu Lake, Paleik Lake, Manaw Lake, and Taungthaman Lake, said U Thein Aung, chair of the Myanmar Bird and Nature Society. Filling in the lake for settlement and farming, excessive extraction of lotuses, littering, and lack of environmental conservation knowledge among residents are causing the severe degradation of Sont Ye Lake, according to Ma Thiri Dawei Aung of the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association..."
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Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-30
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-02
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Effective planning needed to curb flood disasters in Sittwe
Description: "Flooding occurs in wards of Arakan State’s capital Sittwe when it is raining continuously, especially in low-lying areas. Local residents relocate their important possessions from downstairs to upstairs; they have no other options. Flood disasters in the region became much more apparent two decades ago and the situation has become more precarious. Some local residents tried to tackle the problems that flooding creates. They have elevated the ground around their homes to keep rising waters from seeping into their homes. They have also built roadside ditches in front of their house to function as makeshift drainage systems. But, the problem of overwhelming flooding that occurs annually cannot be solved because effective plans have yet to drawn up to divert water from vulnerable areas. Extremely heavy rain causes floods that create deep pools of water, any attempt to successfully reduce the risk of flooding in the region has not been seen so far. Previously, under junta rule, all houses in the wards in Mrauk-U town were instructed to build roadside ditches in front of each and every house. Residents from wards and villages had to build roadside ditches on days authorities designated. Owners of the land, even if no house was on the property, had come and build roadside ditches for fear of being fined by authorities. But, ditches were not built systematically and lacked maintenance so they became ineffective. It needs to have a plan that works effectively to alter the movement of water. Elevating the land or digging ditches are not perfect solutions. Meanwhile, bad planning increases the risks of floods in the region while creeks are shallower than before. Rainwater in Sittwe city flows into river from Myo Lae, Khawathay and Sat Yoe Kya creeks. But, the runoff cannot enter into the river because of the Sittwe city extension project used soil that blocks the natural path of rainwater into the river. That creates higher embankments of land at the mouth of the creeks and rain water gets rerouted into the city. In addition, a road project under the former chief minister U Maung Maung Own did not include road culverts to redirect the flow water from the wards into rivers. The project makes the road better, but it becomes a barrier for water in the city. An authority from Shwe Pyar ward said that he was worried that the ward would face more flooding because the water channel from the ward to the river was filled with earth for the city extension project on Strand road. He mentioned to authorities to restructure the water channel, but nothing has been done..."
Source/publisher: "Development Media Group" (Myanmar) via BNI Multimedia Group (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-25
Date of entry/update: 2019-09-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: From spongy function to year 2100
Sub-title: Yay Chann argues that it is time for Yangon City to build climate resilienc
Description: "Last June, a local policy think tank, Another Development, produced a research report related to green spaces in Yangon City. The report pointed out that green spaces in Yangon City had been reduced by nearly 40% over the course of 25 years. In addition, more green spaces in city areas have begun to face the challenges that come along with economic development, population growth, and rapid urbanization. A decline in the number of green spaces in Yangon City is bad, particularly when it comes to building a climate resilient city. Green spaces are critical in building the environment of a climate resilient city. As a forestry term, green spaces are described as the metaphor of the “sponge” (like those used in washing dishes) because such spaces act like a sponge: they generally absorb and maintain water in rainy season, and gradually release it recharging ground water in summer. Green spaces also play a key role in regulating climate, filtering pollution, and cooling the environment. Therefore, protecting green spaces is important to building climate resilience..."
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Source/publisher: "TEACIRCLEOXFORD"
Date of publication: 2019-09-12
Date of entry/update: 2019-09-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar - Monsoon rains update (ECHO Daily Flash of 14 August 2019)
Description: "Heavy monsoon rain, floods and landslides continue to affect the country resulting in additional deaths and displacing thousands. According to UN OCHA, at least 80,000 people are displaced and sheltering in 170 evacuation sites across the country. Media report that the number of deaths from the landslide in Paung Township (Mon State) has risen to 61. The mudflow destroyed dozens of houses and displaced 150 people. For the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall is forecast across the country, particularly in the Lower Sagaing Region..."
Source/publisher: "Reliefweb"
Date of publication: 2019-08-14
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-15
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: More bodies recovered from Paung landslide
Topic: The death toll from a landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village near Paung township in Mon State last Friday morning has climbed to 72, said Chief Minister U Aye Zan on Tuesday.
Topic: The death toll from a landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village near Paung township in Mon State last Friday morning has climbed to 72, said Chief Minister U Aye Zan on Tuesday.
Description: "During a press conference at U Aye Zan’s office in Mawlamyine, the chief minister said the bodies of 64 villagers and eight other people have been recovered so far and that search efforts are continuing. Asked if the site of the disaster would be declared a danger zone, he said, “Not at the moment.” Declaring the site a danger zone would require people in nearby villages to evacuate their homes. U Aye Zan said the landslide is believed to have been caused by the record-high rainfall of 76.6 centimetres that fell in the area over two days. The water saturated the slopes of a hill called Ma Latt locally, causing it to collapse. Currently, permission is being sought from the central government to conduct further investigations around the site where the landslide occurred, and geologists will arrive in the coming days, he said, adding that experts from Nay Pyi Taw will be taking aerial photos and videos of the site using drones for analysis, he said. “Experts from Nay Pyi Taw will come to do analysis. It is too early to say whether the area is suitable to be inhabited or not. It is not a matter that can be decided in one or two days,” he told journalists, adding that houses will be built for all those affected by the natural disaster..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times"
Date of publication: 2019-08-14
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Sixteen students among Mon landslide victims
Sub-title: Sixteen students were among the people killed by a landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village in Paung township in Mon State last Friday morning, the Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday.
Description: "“Besides the 16 confirmed killed, another 28 students were injured and are being treated in hospital,” Deputy Minister of Education U Win Maw Tun told journalists after the session of the Pyiduangsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, Mon State Chief Minister U Aye Zan said that the number of victims recovered so far had climbed to 72. Addressing the floods that have stricken Mon State over the last week, U Win Maw Tun said the director general of the Basic Education Department had met with Mon State, township, and district officials to assist schools hit by flooding. He also said that the families of the students killed and injured in the landslide were given K300,000 each in financial assistance. Mon, Kayin State, and Taninthayi Region have been hit by flooding in recent weeks and relief centres have been set up at schools, while others have been temporarily closed due to the floods. The deputy minister also said the representatives in the Assembly expressed their sympathies for the victims of severe flooding in Mon, Kayin, and Tanintharyi, adding that the government will contribute financial aid to the victims..."
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times"
Date of publication: 2019-08-14
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Flooding handled poorly, says senior Mon official
Sub-title: A senior Mon State official has critised the government’s disaster management efforts in the wake of the flooding that hit the state severely over the past week.
Description: "Mon State Assembly Deputy Speaker U Aung Naing Oo said more public announcements and supervision were needed. “Until this morning (Monday), there has been no instruction from the Cabinet. Only the township administrator joined me in carrying out necessary tasks. The Cabinet gave no instructions to him,” he said on Monday. Many townships in Mon were flooded over the past week due to the monsoon. Kyaikmaraw and Ye townships were among the most severely hit. On Saturday, some 90 percent of Ye was under water, and many said it was the worst flood in 20 years. “There has been no talk of preventive measures in the recent past. The government should have conducted studies on how to deal with floodwater. During the flooding, it should have made announcements and provided information to people. Whenever it floods now, local officials handle matters with whatever plans they have. It would be better if the government oversaw the efforts,” said U Aung Naing Oo, adding that the failure of the telecommunications network was another major setback. In Ye township on Monday, water levels were receding gradually, although rescues of trapped people were still being conducted in the villages of Man-aung, Koe Mile, Han Gan and Man Kyin..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times"
Date of publication: 2019-08-13
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-13
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Water levels begin to recede in Ye
Sub-title: Flood waters in most parts of Ye township in Mon State began to recede on Sunday, dropping by 30 centimetres as rain that has been hitting the area has stopped for now, said Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) MP U Myo Win.
Description: "“The worst flooding seen in Ye was recorded in 1942, and this is the second-worst flooding in 70 years. At present, water is falling gradually although people are still worried and praying there is no more heavy rain coming,” U Myo Win said. “Last night, the water rose to the upper level of two-storey houses at about 30cm per hour and people were frightened and asking for help before phone connections were lost,” he added. An estimated 5000 people who were trapped all Saturday night were rescued, and most people have been evacuated to higher ground, including Shwesandaw Pagoda and the train station in town, he said. “All phone lines were down after 5pm yesterday (Saturday). Of four major phone lines, only one worked but the connection was intermittent. We had no communications with villages, and we dared not go to Chaung Taung village, which was closest to us, because the floodwaters were so strong. We are still disconnected from Han Gan, Chaung Taung, Kyaung and Kyauk Mee Chaung villages,” he said. In the morning, the sun came out and two motorboats from the regional government arrived, he said..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times"
Date of publication: 2019-08-12
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: 13 killed in Myanmar monsoon landslide
Description: "A landslide caused by heavy monsoon rains killed at least 13 people and injured dozens more in eastern Myanmar, officials said on Friday (Aug 9), as floods forced tens of thousands across the country to flee their homes. The deluge of mud engulfed 16 homes and a monastery early Friday in Thae Pyar Kone village in Mon state, district administrator Myo Min Tun told AFP. "Thirteen people have so far been found dead and 27 taken to hospital in Mawlamyine (Mon state's capital)," he told AFP by phone. Emergency teams are set to continue the search and rescue operation into Friday night in the hunt for more survivors or to retrieve bodies. Workers were also trying to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under up to 1.8m of debris, Myo Min Tun added.
Source/publisher: "CNA"
Date of publication: 2019-08-09
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
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Title: 'Everything is gone': 41 dead, dozens missing after Myanmar landslide
Topic: "The death toll has risen to 41," township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP on Saturday.
Topic: "The death toll has risen to 41," township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP on Saturday.
Description: "MAWLAMYINE, Myanmar: The death toll from a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar rose to at least 41, an official said late Saturday (Aug 10), as emergency workers continued for a second night their desperate search through thick mud for the scores feared missing. A huge brown gash on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud flooded onto Ye Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 27 homes. Search and rescue teams worked through Friday night and into late Saturday, using excavators and their bare hands to recover bodies from the deep sludge. "The death toll has risen to 41," township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP on Saturday. Some farm animals, like cows and goats, were found alive, but "there are no humans left alive," he said, adding that the search operations will push through for a second night. So far, 47 people have been left injured while officials believe that more than 80 people could still be missing.
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "CNA"
Date of publication: 2019-08-10
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Floods Displace Scores Across S. Myanmar
Description: "Heavy monsoon rains have displaced some 26,000 people in 14 townships across southern Myanmar since Saturday. Affected regions include Karen and Mon states and Bago, Tannithary and Irrawaddy regions. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology announced that flooding will continue in Hpa-an, the capital of Karen State, at least until Friday, with water levels on the Salween River exceeding dangerous levels. Also reaching or exceeding established danger levels are the Bilin River in Mon State, the Sittaung and Shwe Kyin rivers in Bago Region and the Nga Wan River in Irrawaddy Region, while water levels on the Moei River, on the Thailand-Myanmar border, are expected to drop by Thursday, the department said. A deep tropical depression over India early this week brought heavy rains across Myanmar, with record-setting downpours in Yangon on Wednesday, according to the department. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement’s Disaster Management Department said that, as of Wednesday, more than 17,300 people from nearly 4,000 households are taking temporary shelter at relief camps, and that they will gradually update that number as more people are affected..."
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Source/publisher: "Reliefweb" via The Irrawaddy
Date of publication: 2019-08-08
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
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Title: Monsoon flooding kills 3, displaces residents in Myanmar
Description: " Three people have been killed by monsoon flooding which occurred in Myanmar's states and regions since last month, an official from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement told Xinhua. "About nine states and regions including Kayin, Mon states and Bago regions have been suffering from monsoon flooding since July. So far, two deaths were reported in Magway region and one in Kachin state," said Daw Phyu Lei Lei Tun, director of disaster management department under the ministry. At present, flooding displaced over 5,800 residents and about 21 relief camps have been opened to accommodate flood-hit residents in some townships of Kayin state while provision of relief kits to flood victims are being carried out by the ministry in flood affected regions and states, she added. Meanwhile, water levels of Sittaung, Shwe Kyin, Bago rivers in Bago region and Nga Wun and toe rivers in Ayeyarwady region were forecast to remain above its danger level, according to the latest forecast by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department. The department also forecast that water levels of Thanlwin, Thaungyin rivers in Kayin state and Bilin river of Mon state will continue rising for at least 24 hours. Also, the department stated that monsoon is vigorous over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Frequent squalls with rough to very rough seas are forecast to be experienced off and along Myanmar coasts and surface wind speed in squalls may reach 40-45 miles per hour, according to the department's latest weather report..."
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Source/publisher: "Xinhua Net"
Date of publication: 2019-08-07
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar floods force tens of thousands from homes
Description: "SHWEGYIN, Myanmar: Raging floods across Myanmar have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in recent weeks, officials said on Thursday (Aug 8), as monsoon rains pummel the nation. Aerial images from Shwegyin township in Bago region showed how the area had become a vast lake of water. Only the rooftops could be seen of many homes lining the Sittaung river. Emergency services have been helping bring people to dry ground, many seeking shelter in local monasteries. Others waded through waist-deep floodwaters or rowed on wooden boats with pets and any belongings they could take with them. Than Aye, 42, who has diabetes and is partially-sighted, struggled to escape the deluge. "I could not do anything when the flooding started but then the fire service came to rescue me by boat," he told AFP from the safety of the monastery that has been his home for the last five days. The most severe flooding is currently in eastern Bago region and Mon and Karen states, according to the social welfare ministry..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "CNA"
Date of publication: 2019-08-08
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar Landslide Toll Rises to Nearly 50
Description: "Myanmar troops deployed to flood-hit parts of the country Sunday to help with relief efforts after the death toll from a deadly landslide jumped to 48. Every year monsoon rains hammer Myanmar and other countries across Southeast Asia, submerging homes, displacing thousands and triggering landslides. But the disaster Friday in southeastern Mon state was the worst in recent memory, and hundreds of emergency response workers were still pulling bodies out of the muddy wreckage early Sunday. "The total death toll reached 48. Search and rescue is still ongoing," Paung township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP. Heavy rains pounded Mon, Karen and Kachin states, flooding roads and destroying bridges. As the rainy season reaches its peak, the country's armed forces are pitching in. "Our regional military commands are working to help with the search and rescue process in disaster areas," Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told AFP. "Helicopters will be used to supply food." The bulk of the effort is focused on hard-hit Mon state, which sits on the coast of the Andaman sea..."
Source/publisher: "VOA" via Agence France-Presse
Date of publication: 2019-08-11
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar: Floods - Jul 2019
Description: "Torrential monsoon rains and rising river levels have caused flooding. In Kachin State, according to the State Government, more than 6,200 people have been evacuated to 39 sites in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu townships as of 13 July. Rakhine, Chin and Mon states are also being hit by floods. (OCHA, 15 Jul 2019) Heavy rainfall during Myanmar’s monsoon season resulted in the Laymyo River overflowing at the beginning of July. By 14 July, all of the more than 3,400 people living in the IDP camp of Sin Baw Kaing village, Mrauk-U Township, were affected, and had to be relocated...On 14 July, the water level of Laymyo River had risen further above danger level, and was expected to continue for the next two days. There are more than 180,000 residents in Mrauk-U Township, and an increase in flooding has the potential of affecting a higher number of people across the Township, including other IDP camps in the area. (ACAPS, 15 Jul 2019) In Kachin State, more than 6,200 people are sheltering in 39 sites in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu. There are no reports of disease outbreak or casualties. Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships of Rakhine State, and Belin Township of Mon State are reportedly affected by floods with people evacuated from some areas. National authorities, the Myanmar Red Cross Society, civil society organisations and private donors are responding to the immediate needs of those affected or displaced by floods. By 14 July, all of the more than 3,400 people living in the IDP camp of Sin Baw Kaing village, Mrauk-U Township, were affected, and had to be relocated. Due to the active conflict, a night-time curfew is in place since April 2019 in Mrauk-U, limiting movement and access to services, particularly to healthcare. Internet access is down since 21 June and aid organisations have reported disruption to their activities..."
Source/publisher: "Reliefweb"
Date of publication: 2019-07-15
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar: Floods Flash Update No. 2 (As of 23 July 2019) - မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ- ရေကြီး- ရေလျှံခြင်း အကျဉ်းချုပ် အစီရင်ခံစာအမှတ်၂
Description: "• Monsoon floods that have affected eight states and regions are estimated to have displaced more than 78,000 people. • Where flood waters have receded, evacuation centres have been closed and people have returned to their homes. • However, with water moving to the south, floods have affected Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions where over 43,000 people were evacuated. • As of 23 July, more than 40,000 people remain displaced in 39 evacuation centres in these three regions while almost all of the displaced people in other affected states and regions have returned to their homes. • UN and humanitarian partners are working closely with the authorities, monitoring the situation and ready to reinforce the Government’s response to floods as required... မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ- ရေကြီး- ရေလျှံခြင်း အကျဉ်းချုပ် အစီရင်ခံစာအမှတ်၂..."
Source/publisher: "Reliefweb" via UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date of publication: 2019-07-23
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Committee formed to fight against Myitsone Dam
Description: " Environmentalists, scientists, writers and monks called for the cancellation of the Myitsone dam at a meeting in Yangon on Monday, at which a committee was formed to fight for the termination of the US$3.6 billion, China-backed project. The meeting came amid pressure from Beijing for work to resume on the dam and followed State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s March 20 comment that the 6,000MW project needed to be considered from “a wider perspective”. Work on the dam, on the Ayeyarwady River about 42 kilometres upstream from the Kachin State capital Myitkyina, was suspended by President U Thein Sein in September 2011 amid escalating and emotionally charged protests against the project. A joint venture between China’s State Power Investment Corporation and a Myanmar conglomerate, Asia World, began work on the dam in 2009 under a memorandum of understand signed by the ruling military junta and the Chinese government three years earlier. An agreement provided for most of the power generated by the massive dam, which would inundate an area as big as Singapore and displace thousands of people, to be exported to China. Speakers at the April 1 meeting included retired government meteorologist and founder of Myanmar Climate Change Watch, Dr Tun Lwin, 71, who challenged one of Aung San Suu Kyi’s March 20 comments about the project. The State Counsellor was quoted as saying that if her National League for Democracy government broke promises made by a previous administration, it would lose credibility with investors. Tun Lwin said there were examples of governments not keeping promises for the sake of their people and the national interest, citing the decision by the Malaysian government to cancel China-backed infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars. “I want the government to listen to the people and cancel the Myitsone project,” he said. “Otherwise I believe the future will not be pleasant.” In his speech Tun Lwin said he did not support the Myitsone dam because the Ayeyarwady River was more important than Myanmar itself. Global warming was already leading to water shortages, he said, and blocking the flow of the river would endanger the country’s future access to water. The former director-general of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology also expressed regret that his warnings about the impact of climate change on Myanmar were largely ignored. “Sadly, no one has listened enough, especially government officials. This is the fate of our country,” said Tun Lwin, adding that the average temperature in Myanmar had risen by about 1.4 degrees Celsius over the past 50 years..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Frontier Myanmar"
Date of publication: 2019-04-02
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-09
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Monsoon brings landslides and flash floods to southern Myanmar.
Description: "Heavy rains have brought flash floods and landslides to Mon state in southern Myanmar. The flooding has damaged a famed Buddhist pagoda, submerged homes and displaced hundreds of people..."
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Source/publisher: "South China Morning Post"
Date of publication: 2018-06-23
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-06
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Greening the Dry Zone of Myanmar (Long)
Description: "People living in Myanmar's Dry Zone are facing the impact of climate change on their lives. The project, Addressing Climate Change Risks on Water Resources and Food Security in the Dry Zone of Myanmar aims to reduce vulnerability and increase adaptive capacity of the dry zone communities through improved water management, crop and livestock adaptation programme in five of the most vulnerable townships of Myanmar’s Dry Zone. The Adaptation Fund project is being implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the Government of the Union of Myanmar..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: UNDP Myanmar
Date of publication: 2017-03-01
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-02
Grouping: Individual Documents
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