Myitsone Dam Redesign to Enhance Earthquake Resistance Following Mandalay Quake

Myanmar's Myitsone Dam will be redesigned to withstand earthquakes stronger than the recent Mandalay quake. Vice Senior General Soe Win announced that the original design, which could endure a magnitude 7.1 quake, will be reassessed by experts from the Asia Charter Professional Engineer group.

The dam, part of a six-project hydropower initiative with a total capacity of 19,099 megawatts, was suspended due to political instability. The redesign will focus on improving seismic resistance, particularly as the site is located in a seismic zone.

The selected design for the Myitsone project is a Concrete Face Rock Fill Dam (CFRD) with an installed capacity of 5,600 megawatts. The project aims to enhance electricity stability, improve water transport, and support economic development in Kachin State. Additionally, riverbed regulation works are planned to prevent flooding in Myitkyina and maintain stable water levels along the Ayeyawady River.