ASEAN DROUGHT WORKSHOP

18~20 August, 2015

Bangkok, Thailand

Sein Tun

Deputy Director General

Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems(DWIR)

Ministry of Transport

DROUGHT MANAGEMENT IN MYANMAR

Eight Physiogeographic regions

Source>> Myanmar National Adaptation Programme of Action(NAPA) to Climate Change;2012

Direct

Agriculture yields decrease and crops fail.

Limited consumable water

Severe water shortages during EI Niño Southern Oscillation years.

Decreased river flows.

Worker productivity declines.

Indirect

Reduced potential for harnessing energy for electricity and power.

Dehydration and other health complications.

Increased wildfires and associated haze pollution cause health risks.

Limited access for local communities to food, drinking water and

other basic services.

Poverty, morbidity and mortality increases.

Direct & Indirect Impact

Source>> Myanmar National Adaptation Programme of Action(NAPA) to Climate Change;2012

Natural Disaster Management Apex Body

National Natural Disaster Preparedness Central Committee was

formed under the Chairmanship of the Vice-President(2) of the State.

To carry out preparedness and safety measures for possible danger of

natural disaster in the country and ensuring prompt and effective risk

response in time of emergency.

National Natural Disaster Preparedness Management Work Committee

is formed under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister(Ministry of

Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement).

To systematically undertake preparedness measure for natural

disasters, to swiftly carry out reliefs and aids and to implement policies

and directives set by National Natural Disaster Preparedness Central

Committee.

Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction(MAPDRR)(2012)Seven Sectors

65 projects(including Extreme Events Mitigation and capacity building)

To implement the projects allocate

Leading Agencies

Supporting Agencies

Potential partners (UNDP, UNEP, INGOs, NGOs, UNESCAP, MRC)

Community engagement is depending upon the management of

States and Regions Level

Township Levels

Department of Relief and Resettlement is the key player for community

engagement especially for State/Region/Township Levels.

Myanmar National Water Policy (MNWP) (2014)

The MNWP has highlighted to keep environmental flows in the river system and

water harvesting campaign should be strengthened throughout the country.

A portion of river flow (environmental flow) should be kept aside to meet

ecological needs.

The different kinds of water infrastructure may also need for the navigability of

Ayeyarwady River.

Rain water harvesting campaign should be strengthened across the country. It

also stated the allocated water in the following order of priority:

i. Drinking Water

ii. Water for urban and rural sanitation

iii. Water for food security

iv. Water for other uses.

Water Allocation

Source>> Working Group of WACDEP Myanmar.

Myanmar National Water Policy (MNWP) (2014)

After assessing the MNWP water allocation study , it is suggested that the following

points are to be considered prioritizing on sector wise basis.

Presently, water allocation of the country’s vast water resources are prioritized in

order as drinking and domestic water, agriculture, industrial needs including

hydropower generation and other needs such as transportation, recreation, etc.

as per “30 years Agricultural Master Plan” by MoAI in 2000. Allocation should be

re-scrutinized and well defined by the Government and required to review from

time to time to prioritize the allocation with sector wise basis.

2003 study for water sector profile indicated that about 90% of the water use

is from agriculture, 6% from domestic consumption, 3% from industry and

some percentage for other uses could have been provided. Reassessment

should be undertaken to register the withdrawals by different sectors.

Source>> Working Group of WACDEP Myanmar.

Water Allocation

Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) under Ministry of Transport

is responsible for the provision of weather forecasting and collection of

hydrological data.

Relevant models are used in prediction of rainfall, temperature, water level.

Temperature increment may lead to more dryness and shortage of water. The

large deviation is the indication of the likelihood of floods or drought in the

region.

DMH personals studied the drought in dry zone and surrounding areas by

using rainfall data and Tercircle criteria method. (2005 – 2014)

Drought related models as continuous tasks for DMH.

Data and Modeling Practice and needs

Major Structural Measures for Drought Mitigation

Irrigation facilities

Sr.No ParticularsTanks/Reservoirs

(No)

Storage Capacity

(MCM)

1 Completed Tanks / Reservoirs

before 1988

138 3170.10

2 Completed Tanks/ Reservoirs

between 1988 and 2012

239 16913.80

3 Construction works stated for

completion by 2012-13

13 2882.20

  Total 390 22966.10

Source: Outline of the Irrigation Department.

*MCM – million cubic meter

Sedawgyi Dam

Yenwe Dam

Major Structural Measures for Drought Mitigation

River Training

River training is not only for the navigation improvement but also

for the extreme events mitigation.

1. Channel Improvement

2. Bank Protection

Intake Channel Improvement for Law Ka Nandar River Water Pumping Station

To make the arid region lush, green and beautiful

To maintain its ecosystem

To fulfill basic forest procedure requirements of the rural people

To contribute socio-economic development of the rural people

To make the local residents aware the value and essence of forest and trees

To enhance public knowledge on conservation and promotion of natural

environment, and escalate its participation

To maintain climatic balance in order to support cultivation

To prevent desertification

Major Structural Measures for Drought Mitigation

Objectives of the Dry Zone Greening Department

Source>> Dry Zone Greening Department

Particular attention is given to the Central Dry Zone where potable and safe

drinking water is very scarce.

To achieve MDG target; In 2015, to reduce half of rural population unable to

get safe drinking water.

Assessment of delivery unit (rural water supply sub-committee), 12353

villages were necessary RWS.

DRD plan 10000 villages rural water supply facilities, whether there are able

secured budget, Gov, INGOs, Foreign Grants/ Aids.

According to MDG target, whether we, DRD could implement as 10000

villages RWS, will reduce 80% of population who are difficulty to get safe

drinking water.

Major Structural Measures for Drought Mitigation

Rural Water Supply

Source>> Department of Rural Development (DRD)

Water Consumption of Completed and Ongoing and Planned Pump Irrigation Projects

Sr Water Source (Name of River) No of Pump Irrigation Project1 Ayeyarwady 882 Chindwin 223 Thanlwin 64 Sittaung 295 Mu 246 Dokehtawaddy 277 Others 196

Total 390

Sr DescriptionPump Irrigation Ground Water Total

No Acre No Acre No Acre1 Completed 332 505605 12508 164843 12840 6704482 On Going 35 236881 2114 21805 2149 2586863 Planned 23 6921 6307 63810 6330 70731

Total 390 749407 20929 250458 21319 999865

Major Structural Measures for Drought Mitigation

Source>> Water Resources Utilization Department (WRUD)

Flood is more considerable than drought. At the same time,

climate change impacts and human activities alert us to keep the

alike care on drought.

Encourage and enhance the performances relevant to drought

mitigation.

Develop a drought early warning system via capacity building

especially DMH.

Both for short term and long term action plan should be prepared,

considering issues and strategies for drought mitigation on water

security and climate resilience.

Conclusion

Thank you !