VIENTIANE, LAOS: Heavy rain caused rivers to rise last week, flooding roads and crops in many provinces around Laos, according to a report from the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
Department Senior Official, Souvanny Phonevilay, yesterday said climate change might have caused the heavy downpours to come earlier than in recent years.
She said heavy rain normally occurred during July and August, but this year it began in May.
“The water level in the Mekong River was 14.45m in Luang Prabang province on Monday,” she said.
“Today it is predicted to increase to 15.90m. In Vientiane it will rise from 9.60 meters (m) to 10.70m. In Pakxe, Champassak province it will rise from 8.16m to 8.26m,” said Souvanny.
Levels are still within the normal range but she expects them to rise further tomorrow to 15.40m in Luang Prabang, 10.70m in Vientiane and 8.34m in Pakxe. The maximum allocated river capacity, at which point a flood alert will be issued, is 17.50m in Luang Prabang, 11.50m in Vientiane and 11m in Pakxe district. Residents should be aware of these figures so they can plan ahead, she said.
Roads and crops in Huaphan, Borikhamxay and Vientiane provinces were flooded during the weekend, Souvanny reported.
In Huaphan, heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday increased the level of the Nam Ma River and flooded many hectares of sweet corn farms in Sopbao, Aed and Xiengkhor districts, according to a report from the provincial agriculture section.
The district's authorities are now recording how many farms were damaged and expect to have a clear picture of the extent of the damage by the end of this week.
In Vientiane province, the Nam Xong River rose and flooded many small roads in the province. No property was damaged but there were transport delays, said Provincial Public Works and Transport Department Office Head, Vilath Buathong.
He said Road 13 North in Kasy district was the worst-affected area, as the rain also caused landslides. The landslides blocked the road at Chieng and Kewkacham villages.
At Pongxong village a 100m stretch of road was submerged under one meter of water.
On Thursday (17 July) last week, landslides stopped traffic at Kewkacham village for 14 hours and on Friday (18 July), landslides affected Chieng village for six hours, before the department removed the obstruction.
“Normal road conditions have been restored because the water has receded and the land has been cleared,” said Vilath.
In Borikhamxay province the rain increased water levels in the Nam Thone River, flooding many roads and farms. Provincial authorities have yet to report on the extent of the damage.
Souvanny predicts rain will continue to fall quite heavily in some areas, especially in central and southern provinces.
She warned people to monitor daily weather forecasts and be prepared to protect their property during floods, particularly people living in low-lying areas and along river banks. (By KHAMPHONE SYVONGXAY/ The Vientiane Times/ ANN
by looking at this picture.... the flooding has nothing to do with the DAM being build. most cities or villages in Laos doesnt have any Storm Drain Plan... it is basically everything flows down hills.. there's no diverting canals, ditches, pipes, catchbasins, detention ponds and etc... when it rains so much for certain extend of time, the water doesnt have anywhere to go.. that's when flooding accur.
by looking at this picture.... the flooding has nothing to do with the DAM being build. most cities or villages in Laos doesnt have any Storm Drain Plan... it is basically everything flows down hills.. there's no diverting canals, ditches, pipes, catchbasins, detention ponds and etc... when it rains so much for certain extend of time, the water doesnt have anywhere to go.. that's when flooding accur.
I concurred ...this have nothing to do with Dam construction. and these flood are in Houphan vientiane and borikhamxay....a distant from Num Theung 2... Mississipi flooded a a month ago and that have nothing to do with Dam ...when it pour ...it pour days and days in Laos....
hahahhahahhaha i'm glad you're agree with me on the topic... BUT!!!! i disagree with you using sn King of SeehHarHed.. can you come up with some other sn if you dont mind?? hahahah you can't be a king of me.... NOT a chance!!!
