Lemro River


The Lemro or Lemyo corrupt from pali word of Lahu Mayi, originally called Aizannadi is a river of Myanmar flowing through Chin State and Rakhine State. It flows into the Bay of Bengal east of Sittwe. The name of the river was given after establishment of four kingdom cities of Arakanese people between the eight and thirteen centuries along the river bank. The Lemro valley is noted for its rock art from these settlers.

History

Originally called 'Azinnandi River'
before it was named after establishment of four kingdom cities that ruled Arakan from 9th century to until 15th century.
Pyinsa - 1018
Parein - 1102
Hkrit - 1137
Launggyet - 1237

Etymology

In the term of "Lemro," the first term "Le" or "Lay" refers to counting number of "4" and the second term "Mro" refers to "town or city." Lay Mro in the Rakhine language means "four cities," which refers to the four ancient Arakanese cities that flourished by the side of the river. Now we can call "Laymyo" or "Lemyo" instead of Lemro

Physiography

Lémro river originates from the mountains and hills of Chin Hills Track in Chin State of Burma in Matupi Township of Mindat District in Chin State. It flows through Mrauk-U, Minbya and Pauktaw townships of Sittwe District of Rakhine State. It empties into the Kaladan River downstream of Pauktaw. The section from Sittwe to Pauktaw is long and from Sittwe to Minbya is long.

Hydropower projects

Two hydropower projects, "Laymro" 600-megawatt and "Laymro 2" 90-megawatt, are being implemented by Hydropower Planning Department under the Ministry of Electric Power No. 1, China Datang Overseas Investment Co Ltd and Shwe Taung Hydropower Co Ltd starting from on 18 January 2011.