Floods wreak havoc across Laos

Many parts of northern Laos are suffering from flooding. - VT

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Thousands of people in Oudomxay, Bokeo, Huaphan, Phongsaly and other northern provinces are suffering from flash floods after heavy rain in recent days inundated their communities.

Tropical storm Ma-on sparked extensive destruction, with roads being flooded and impassable, houses and other property destroyed or damaged, and electricity and water supplies being cut off.

However, no deaths or injuries have been reported and authorities are working to provide assistance to those in need.

Oudomxay province has been the hardest hit by flooding since Friday, with 97 villages in Xay district affected.

Many parts of northern Laos are suffering from flooding.

Some 40 out of 97 affected villages along the Nam Ko river have been hardest hit by the deluge. The Governor of Xay district, Mr Valy Cheunoryeng, said it was too early to evaluate the cost of the damage as authorities are assessing the extent of the flooding and collecting information about the number of people affected.

As a result of the floods, people are now in urgent need of clothing, food and drinking water.

Many people struggled to cope as their houses became submerged and dramatic videos of their predicament circulated on social media.

Flooding from rivers has caused havoc in the provincial capital, Xay district, as well as in La district and other areas.

The number of people left homeless has not yet been assessed because local authorities are busy evacuating people and providing emergency relief, according to local media reports. Many people are also in need of shelter, and some need boats to move around.

Local authorities have been battling to move people to higher ground, and say that because roads are cut off they are having to use boats to evacuate people.

Villagers have been evacuated to places on higher ground, such as schools and other public facilities, while others are staying with relatives in unaffected areas.

Meanwhile, 97 families in four villages in Phongsaly province’s Khua district have been affected by downpours, with the cost of the damage estimated at more than 5.6 billion kip.

Roads No. 2E and 1B were flooded, hindering the transport of goods and people.

The province of Bokeo has also suffered extensive flooding. Local authorities say they will provide details as more information becomes available, while news reports showed how people were struggling to move their belongings and vehicles.

Hinheup district in Vientiane province has also been affected after a river overflowed its banks.

Elsewhere, authorities in Huaphan province are preparing safe places where people whose homes have been flooded can take shelter.