Laos: Massive floods devastate 180 villages in Khammouane province.
(Baonghean.vn) - The Lao National Radio reported: In addition to the dam collapse disaster in Attapu province in southern Laos, severe flooding is ravaging 180 villages, covering an area of over 180,000 hectares across 7 districts of Khammuan province.
This is a province in central Laos, bordering the provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh in Vietnam. The districts currently experiencing severe flooding are: Bualapa, Hinbun, Thakhek, Xaybua Thong, Nhômmalat, Mahaxay, and Nongbok.
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| At least 180 villages in Khammouane are isolated by floodwaters. Photo: Lang Quoc Khanh |
Due to heavy rains in the past few days, coupled with rising water levels in the Mekong and Xe Bang Phay rivers from upstream, severe and dangerous flooding has occurred, significantly impacting people's lives. Mr. Bounxieng Xaphakdi, Director of the Department of Labor and Welfare of Khammouane Province and Deputy Head of the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command, stated that the Mekong and Xe Bang Phay rivers have been rising since July 25th. The province has coordinated with relevant agencies to monitor and warn people to proactively prevent and combat the floods. In particular, for districts along these two rivers, which are frequently flooded annually, people need to take precautions to minimize damage caused by the natural disaster.
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| A village submerged by floodwaters. Photo: Lang Quoc Khanh |
The Director of the Department of Labor and Welfare of Khammouane Province also stated: It is still not possible to quantify the specific damage. However, the province is actively proposing preventive measures and warning the public about the increasingly complex natural disaster situation, aiming for both immediate and long-term prevention, even after the water recedes.
