Water level in Ayeyawady River lowest in 30 years
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The Ayeyawady River in Mandalay has receded to its lowest level in 30 years during the 2014 dry season, according to the Department of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems.
The Ayeyawady’s water level dropped from 3.97 metres in 1994 to 3.68 metres in 2004 and to a record low this year of 3.45 metres, but falling under an acceptable range, according to the gauging done on Thursday.
“The Ayeyawady River water started to fall on March 31, and April 2 saw it reaching a previous recorded low. If it continues receding, it will break an all-time record,” said an official from the Department of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems in Mandalay.
The river was 4.2-4.3 metres deep during last year’s dry season between March and April, but this year it saw a sharp drop in water level from 3.6 metres in mid-March to just 3.45 metres on Thursday.
“In comparison to last year, the river is much shallower,” said Myo Htay, a boat swain on Mandalay-Bamaw transportation route. “Now there is barely enough water for transport between Sagaing and Mingun. In other upper and lower parts, the water is too shallow. In Mawdawgyi, sandbanks are appearing. For the whole Tagu (March 31-April 28), water would get shallower, and in Kasone (April 29-May 28) it will rise again. But afterward, the water level will fluctuate until Warso and Warkhaung (June and July), when the river is full to the brim.”
During dry season, the Ayeyawady waterway is being dredged for ships to pass through. Since the limits on the depth of water for ships plying each section of waterway during the dry season have been announced as 1.7 metres on the route from Hintata to Pyay, 1.5 metres from Pyay to Mandalay, 1.2 metres from Mandalay to Katha, 1.1 metre from Katha to Bamaw, and .8 metres from Hsinbo to Myitkyina, shipping operators are obliged to comply with the limits to ensure safe passage.
Due to summer’s “tight” waterway along the Ayeyawady earlier than usual (starting in February), cargo vessels and Chantal ships took longer to travel through.
Out of 14 tight waterways making it difficult for river transport, five are so shallow that they are undergoing dredging and the removal of submerged stones. Due to budgetary constraints, the dredging is taking place at 23 sites on the Mandalay-Bamaw route.
