Flooding, landslides expected in north of Laos until July 4

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): Temperatures will remain high in central and northern regions, with thunderstorms and wind gusts in some areas from June 28 to July 4, while flooding and landslides are possible in the north, the Meteorology and Hydrology Department has warned.

The northeast will have thunderstorms, strong winds and rain from June 28-30 especially in Phongsaly province, while from July 1-4 there will be light rain in some areas with temperatures ranging from 19-31C.

The northwest will also have thunderstorms, rain and wind gusts from June 28 to July 4, especially in Luang Namtha, Bokeo, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang provinces. Temperatures will range from 24-37C.

Vientiane will have thunderstorms and light rain with wind gusts, while temperatures will range from 25-36C.

The provinces of Vientiane, Borikhamxay, Khammuan and Savannakhet will have thunderstorms, rain and strong winds, with temperatures ranging from 24-37C.

Champassak, Saravan and Xekong provinces can also expect more hot weather with thunderstorms and rain showers from June 28 to July 4, and temperatures ranging from 24-35C.

Thailand’s Meteorology Department has forecast scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in provinces close to Laos, namely Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom from June 29 to July 5.

Temperatures will range from 24-37C and winds will be southwesterly with a speed of 10-20 km/hour, according to the department’s website.

People should avoid spending time outdoors during thunderstorms and in high winds and stay away from large trees, unsound buildings and billboards. Everyone should be prepared for weather extremes and follow forecasts issued by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.

Provinces in the north, including Xayaboury, Vientiane, Xieng Khuang and Bokeo, recently experienced floods.

In Xayaboury province more than 5, 200 households in 56 villages of seven districts were affected and nearly 20 houses were swept away by floodwaters.

Electricity poles were damaged and electricity meters were flooded. Bridges, water pumps, roads, vehicles, schools and 169 hectares of land were affected, while many cattle and poultry died. The damage was estimated at more than 94 billion kip.

In Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, more than 600 households, bridges, vehicles, roads, hotels, guesthouses and restaurants were affected by floods, with large areas of rice fields under water. The total damage has been estimated at more than 15 billion kip.

Phaoudom district, Bokeo province, also experienced flooding and some houses were swept away, resulting in losses totalling more than 200 million kip. - Vientiane Times/Asia News Network