Storm Damage Estimated At Over 55.5 Billion Kip

Source: Vientiane Times

Torrential rain has caused the deaths of 10 people around the country after heavy downpours and winds lashed many provinces, with the damage being assessed at about 55.5 billion kip.

Tropical storm Sonca affected large swathes of Laos from the end of July to the beginning of August. Some 14 provinces have been impacted by persistent heavy rain, landslides, and flooding, namely Phongsaly, Huaphan, Luang Namtha, Xieng Khuang, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Vientiane, Borikhamxay, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Champassak, Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu.

Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Dr Khampheng Xaysompheng reported recently that, according to initial assessments, 53 districts were affected by flooding and 254,971 people suffered from the deluges.

Flash floods killed two people in Xayaboury province, one in Oudomxay, and one in Vientiane province, while six people were killed by a landslide in Phongsaly province.

Some 149 houses, 12 schools, seven temples and three village infirmary buildings were damaged.

The flooded areas included 37,831 hectares of rice fields and 1,261 hectares of cassava, sweetcorn and chilli crops. Some 7,350kg of rice was also damaged. Lost livestock comprised 23,507 animals, including buffalo, cattle, pigs, and goats. Some 26 irrigation channels, roads and 958 fish farms were inundated.

Dr Khampheng said the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare had allocated 976,570,000 kip to help the affected families.

Oudomxay, Vientiane, Borikhamxay and Champassak provinces will each receive 120 million kip, while Khammuan, Savannakhet, Saravan and Xekong provinces will each receive 70 million kip.

Phongsaly, Huaphan and Attapeu provinces will be given 50 million kip each and Xayaboury will receive 63,570,000 kip.

Oudomxay provincial authorities reported damage of over 26 billion kip as a result of flooding last month and 381.29 hectares of crops were damaged.

Xay, La, Namor and Nga districts suffered the worst of the flooding.

The initial assessment of damage and losses exceeding 26 billion kip relates only to these districts as others in the province have not yet submitted reports. Floods reportedly killed one person in Homsouk village, Xay district.

Flooded areas in Oudomxay included 371.29 hectares of rice fields. Lost livestock included eight cows and two goats while 54 fish farms were inundated, according to provincial authorities. Elsewhere in Kaenthao district, Xayaboury province, 141 families in six villages were affected by flooding and 60 houses were damaged. Two people were reported killed.

The total cost of the damage in Xayaboury was estimated to be over 15 billion kip, provincial authorities said.