Ketsana leaves thousands homeless, 854b kip in damage

Tropical storm Ketsana, which cut through the southern provinces last week, has left behind thousands of homeless people in Xekong and Saravan provinces and at least 854 billion kip in damages.

Officials and local people in Xekong province work together to build temporary shelters for those left homeless by the storm.

The storm hit Savannakhet, Saravan, Attapeu, and Xekong provinces, with the latter two the worst affected.

In Xekong, at least 508 houses were completely destroyed and 76 others were partially damaged, with 8,805 people left homeless, said provincial Deputy Governor Phonphet Kiewlavong, adding that numerous officials are currently involved in relief efforts in Dakcheung district. This was one of the three worst-hit areas, where figures on losses and damage are yet to be reported.

“Several needy people in some remote areas of Dakcheung district are yet to be reached,” Mr Phonphet told Vientiane Times.

Floodwaters damaged offices, schools, hotels, hospitals, houses and farmland, resulting in more than 123.27 billion kip of losses, according to figures released yesterday afternoon.

It is estimated that many people in the province will face shortages of rice for the remainder of the year, he said.

In Attapeu province, the flooding affected a total area of 95,587 hectares, inundating houses, schools, offices, business facilities, farmland and livestock grazing land and resulting in losses worth more than 640 billion kip, according to initial reports from the province.

Some 72,850 people, out of the province's total population of 123,398, have been affected by the floodwaters. Those affected will encounter rice shortages for the next six months.

Attapeu provincial Deputy Governor Khainthong Sisouvong was unable to say how many people have been left homeless because detailed information is still being collected.

Saravan and Savannakhet provinces experienced more than 73 billion and 20 billion kip in losses respectively, with more than 80 families left homeless.

Officials are now rushing to help affected residents rebuild houses and set up temporary shelters.

Provincial authorities said urgent requirements include food, drinking water, household and cooking equipment, medicines and construction materials.

The government has called on its agencies at all levels to organise fundraising and mobilisation efforts to assist the affected people.

So far, only one fatality has been confirmed - in Attapeu province - after Savannakhet authorities confirmed there were no deaths in the province as a result of the storm.

The provincial Labour and So cial Welfare Department said two people who were believed to have been killed by the storm have since been found safe and sound.

Mr Khainthong said eight workers from the Xekhaman Hydropwer Plant are still missing.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update October 9 , 2009)

this is the worst  in laos history , we need aids from aboard to rebuild those destroyed houses and farms