FISH farmers in Yangon, Bago and Ayeyarwady divisions said last week they were worried that recent flooding in Bamaw in Sagaing Division as well as heavy rains in the upper reaches of Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers could cause flooding in lower Myanmar as high water flowed south.

“We need to remain cautious about flooding on our farms throughout August,” said U Win Kyaing, the associate secretary of the Fish Farmers Association.
“Water levels in the Ayeyarwady have been normal this year but flooding upstream can cause water to rise rapidly in downstream areas,” he said.

He said the worst flooding in lower Myanmar occurred from a combination of high tide, heavy local rain and high water caused by flooding in upper Myanmar.

He said high water from the Ayeyarwady could add to high water levels at fish farms, causing the ponds to overflow and allowing fish to escape.

“Floods don’t normally affect fish farms much but they can impact the natural lakes and ponds where juvenile fish are kept to supply the farms,” he said.

“We’ve had reports from some farms that water and rain have damaged nets used to contain the fish, allowing them to escape,” U Win Kyaing said. –