26 August

The Ministry of Construction is preparing to release bylaws for the construction of buildings as part of the push for disaster-resistant architecture in Myanmar.

The Union Minister for Construction U Han Zaw made the remarks at an event yesterday to mark the 20th anniversary of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee in Yangon.

The event attracted experts from the government and private sector, and they discussed and reviewed earthquake preparedness in Myanmar.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister U Han Zaw told the guests that his ministry is drafting rules for making sure buildings in Myanmar are designed to withstand natural disasters, including storms, cyclones and earthquakes, with the help of legal experts and specialists in the field of architecture and construction. He pointed out that Myanmar has experienced losses to life and property due to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes.

The country has witnessed destruction of buildings, roads, and bridges, and its cultural heritage due to earthquakes, he said.

The Meteorology and Hydrology Department has established earthquake centres in quake-prone areas to monitor seismic activity, he added.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Department has been raising awareness about earthquakes by educating the public on preparedness before and after a quake strikes, the minister said. Union Minister U Han Zaw promised that his ministry will continue to cooperate with the Myanmar Earthquake Committee, which observed its 20th anniversary yesterday.

Afterwards, Myanmar Engineering Society Vice President U Ko Ko Gyi extended his greetings and Dr. U Thein, the Patron of the Myanmar Engineering Council, spoke in detail about earthquake preparedness measures recommended by experts.The Myanmar Earthquake Committee also presented video clips about earthquake research in Myanmar.

Afterwards, experts and attendees discussed issues related with earthquakes. Since its formation in 1999, the Myanmar Earthquake Committee has been conducting research on earthquakes, in cooperation with local and foreign organizations, to help reduce losses caused by such calamities in Myanmar. —MNA(Translated by Kyaw Zin Lin)