Moeyungyi Reservoir distributes water to over 53,000 acres of summer paddy in Yangon, Bago regions

Moeyungyi Reservoir, the main water resource of Bago-Sittoung canal and ‌a Ramsar Site, supplies water to over 53,000 acres of summer paddy in Bago Region and about 100 acres in Yangon Region.
The sluice gate of Moeyungyi Reservoir was built in the third week of December 2021 and completed in March 2022. It is about 40 square miles area, and the water from seven creeks is stored in the reservoir at an altitude of about 20 feet-26 feet, and the water is distributed to summer paddy field via the sluice gate. The sluice gate is 6×7 feet wide with 11 steel valves, and it mainly supplies water to over 53,000 acres of summer paddy in Bago, Waw, Thanatpin and Kawa townships of Bago Region, and about 100 acres of summer paddy in Kayan Township of Yangon Region.
In 2020-2021, the Moeyungyi Reservoir stored water up to RL25.9 feet, and up to RL 26 feet after the construction of sluice gate, contributing to the summer paddy fields and agriculture and livestock breeding sectors.
“Moeyungyi Reservoir was constructed in colonial era in 1878. It was constructed by filling water into Bago-Sittoung canal for bamboo raft transportation. Now, the transportation becomes better and so we mainly use it to distribute water to summer paddy fields. Summer paddy is a proper seasonal crop on which the farmers rely. Before we distribute irritation water, we had to meet with the officials of relevant departments and water users to supply the adequate water. Now, we have already distributed water there three times. We are very happy as we can supply adequate water to summer paddy fields. We also urge the farmers to use the water efficiently,” said U Thiha Aung, assistant director (civil) of Bago Region Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department.
Moeyungyi Reservoir distributes water through the sluice gate four times a year to 53,313 acres of summer paddy comprising 30,518 acres in Thanatpin, 6,716 acres in Kawa and 16,079 acres in Waw townships. The first water distribution was on 18 December 2023, while the second on 17 January 2024 and the third on 9 February, and the final distribution will be from 9 to 24 March. It also distributes water to 100 acres of summer paddy in Kayan Township of Yangon Region. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/KTZH