YANGON, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A ground survey to repair the spillway breach of Swa Chaung Dam in Myanmar's Bago region began on late Wednesday following the collapse of the spillway caused by flooding, Myanmar News Agency reported Thursday.
"Cars are unable to directly reach the spot but motorcycles are able to enter," Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department said.
The spillway of the dam burst on Wednesday at 5:45 a.m. local time, flooding 85 villages in Yedashe town and affecting over 63,000 people.
The collapse of the spillway also submerged some road sections on Yangon-Mandalay highway which is being temporarily closed.
Due to the rising water levels, local people in the affected areas are being evacuated to the safer places by the authorities.
Some 17 rescue camps were open in Yedashe as well as 16 such camps in Toungoo, said Bago region government, adding that food and aid wre being sent timely to the flooded villages.
Myanmar Vice President U Henry Van Thio and Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing rushed to the site on Wednesday and inspected the inundation and damages caused by overflow of the dam.
