VIENTIANE: More heavy rain is forecast for the central and southern provinces, bringing a renewed risk of flooding and landslides from Thursday (Aug 29) to Sunday (Sept 1), the Meteorology and Hydrology Department has warned.
These conditions will prevail in Phongsaly, Huaphan and Xieng Khuang provincs, where temperatures will range from 19-31 degrees Celsius.
In the northwest, heavy rain and strong wind gusts are likely in parts of Luang Namtha, Bokeo, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Xayaboury provinces, where temperatures will range from 22-35 deg C.
The central provinces of Vientiane, Borikhamxay, Khammuan and Savannakhet can also expect occasional thunderstorms, heavy rain and wind gusts, with an expected temperature range of 23-34 deg C.
In Xaysomboun province, temperatures will be lower at 19-32 deg C, with rain and occasional strong winds also expected.
In the south there will be heavy rain and strong winds in some areas of Champassak, Xekong and Attapeu provinces, where temperatures will range from 23-35 deg C.
Plateau areas can also expect heavy rain and strong winds and temperatures ranging from 17-30 deg C.
Vientiane will have similar conditions, with temperatures ranging from 23-34 deg C.
On Tuesday, the meteorology and hydrology station in Vientiane measured the level of the Mekong River at the 4km marker at 11.19 metres.
This is forecast to rise to 11.35 metres on Wednesday and 11.47 metres on Thursday.
The flood warning level at this point of the river is 11 metres and the danger level is 12.5 metres.
In Luang Prabang city, the level of the Mekong River was measured at 16.32 metres on Tuesday and is predicted to rise to 16.46 metres on Wednesday and 16.58 metres on Thursday.
The flood warning level in this area is 17.5 metres and the danger level is 18 metres.
Many parts of the country have experienced flooding because of prolonged heavy rainfall.
Last Friday, some 60 households in Thaphabath district, Borikhamxay province, suffered from the effects of flooding after the Mekong River burst its banks.
Provincial authorities helped local residents to move vehicles, livestock and other property to higher ground because the river is still rising, according to the Pathetlao newspaper.
On Tuesday, flooding was reported in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane, where farmland was inundated.
In Xayaboury province, Nguen, Xieng Hon and Khob districts suffered from floods after heavy rain on August 20-21.
About 90 hectares of farmland and livestock in 17 villages of Nguen district were affected by the floods, together with more than 300 households in nine villages of Xieng Hon district.
In Khob district, more than 1,300 households in 10 villages were affected.
Four houses were washed away and one person was reported as missing.
Fourteen offices, four schools, roads and bridges were flooded, while water supplies and telecommunication links were cut.
Provincial authorities are helping villagers to clean their houses and will assess the extent of the damage, a provincial official said. - Vientiane Times/ANN
