Low-hanging power line over river in Pauktaw Twsp endangers waterborne passersby

17 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 February 2022, Pauktaw

According to local residents, a power line spanning the Swun Ye River on the Pauktaw-Minbya road is hanging lower than the Sun Ye Bridge, posing a danger to passenger and fishing boats travelling through the area.

U Kyaw Thaung Hla, the Swun Ye village administrator, told DMG that the power line was only about 7 feet above sea level at high tide.

“The power line has no external protection and can cause electrocution when touched. Many large motorboats have collided because the power line was low. It is only 7 feet high at high tide, so it is very dangerous for big boats,” the village administrator explained.

A 17-year-old boy was electrocuted and died crossing the Swun Ye River in the first week of February. If the power line is left unrepaired, it will continue to endanger the lives of people travelling on boats, as well as economically impacting waterway commuters, locals warn.

“Boats have to be stopped at high tide and only go at low tide,” said Ko Htay Aung, a boat owner from Chaung Ngwe village in Pauktaw Township. “We have a small motorboat, so it is easy enough to go, but a big motorboat is not convenient. The power line is much lower than the bridge.”

Many ferries and boats transporting sand and rock from Pauktaw, Minbya and Myebon townships ply the Swun Ye River day and night.

The authorities in charge of providing electricity have been informed about the low-hanging power line, but no action has been taken, said the Swun Ye village administrator.

When contacted by DMG regarding the matter, U Kyaw Myo Win, an in-charge of the Pauktaw Township Electricity Supply Enterprise, said he would report it to the relevant authorities.

The power line between Arakan State’s Pauktaw and Minbya townships was erected in 2017.