VIENTIANE (XINHUA) – Thousands of people in northern Laos have been affected by flash floods triggered by heavy rains in recent days.
Oudomxay, Bokeo, Huaphan, Phongsaly are among the provinces hit by the floods.
Oudomxay province, some 310 kilometres (km) north of the Laos capital Vientiane, has been the hardest hit since last Friday, chief of the Lar district Houmphan Bouphakham told local media yesterday.
He said roads were flooded and impassable, houses destroyed or damaged, and electricity and water supplies cut off.
In the wake of the floods, people are now in urgent need of clothing, food and drinking water.
Videos circulated on social media showed many people struggling to cope with the situation after their houses were submerged. The number of people left homeless has not yet been assessed, and local authorities are busy evacuating people and providing emergency relief supplies.
Local authorities have been battling to transfer people to higher grounds. As roads were cut off they had to use boats to evacuate residents.
Meanwhile, 97 families in four villages in Phongsaly province’s Khua district were affected by downpours, with the related damage estimated to be more than LAK5.6 billion (USD363,000). The province of Bokeo has also suffered extensive flooding. Videos on social media showed how people were struggling to move their belongings and vehicles.
In addition, Hinheup district in Vientiane province was affected by flooding after a river overflowed its banks.
Local authorities in Huaphan province are working to prepare safe places for flood-displaced people to take shelter.
