Myitsone Dam, Suspended hydroelectric dam at Mali and N'mai rivers confluence, Kachin State, Myanmar
Myitsone Dam is a proposed hydroelectric project at the confluence where the Mali and N'mai rivers meet to form the Irrawaddy. The planned structure would span approximately 1.3 kilometers across the waterway with concrete elements positioned at this strategic location.
Construction began in 2009 with Chinese investment of approximately 3.6 billion dollars but was suspended in 2011 by President Thein Sein. The project remains halted despite ongoing pressure from Chinese companies seeking to resume work.
The site holds deep meaning for Kachin communities as the meeting of two rivers forms the source of Myanmar's main waterway. Local people see this confluence as a sacred place tied to their identity and way of life.
The site is in a remote area north of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, and is difficult to reach. Visitors should check current conditions and access restrictions before traveling, as the region can have limited accessibility.
Environmental research indicates the project would create a reservoir covering about 447 square kilometers, fundamentally changing water flow and sediment transport throughout Myanmar. This scale explains why the suspension matters so deeply to people living downstream.
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