RESIDENTS in Aphyauk in Yangon Division’s Taikkyi township have been working closely with government officials to prevent high waters on the Ayeyarwady River from spilling over and flooding the town, an official from the Yangon Division Peace and Development Council said last week.

The river at the town, which is located about 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Yangon, reached the danger level of 10 metres (33 feet) on August 3 but continued to rise until it peaked at 10.7 metres (35.15 feet) on August 8, he said.

He said that in anticipation of the problem, the council sent 10,000 sandbags to Aphyauk in June and 5000 more in August to prevent the river from spilling over its banks.

The highest river level recorded at Aphyauk was 11.2 metres (36.75 feet) in 2004.