VIENTIANE: The government estimates that the cost of the damage inflicted by flooding across the country currently amounts to about 720 billion kip (US$33mil).
Since July 18, four storms during the monsoon season have hit 15 provinces, causing widespread flooding.
A report on flood damage was delivered at a government meeting on Tuesday (Sept 24), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath.
Chief Secretary of the Central Disaster Management Committee, Vongkham Phanthanouvong, presented the report, which summed up the overall situation and the emergency response to date.
He named the affected regions as Vientiane, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Sarravan, Khammuan, Luang Prabang, Xieng Khuang, Huaphan, Xekong, Bokeo, Xayaboury, Borikhamxay, Xaysomboun and Oudomxay provinces, and the capital Vientiane.
According to a report compiled by provincial disaster management committees, a total of 125 districts, 1,337 villages, and 50,889 families of 200,169 people have been affected. Ten people have died and two others are missing.
In addition, 137 houses have been demolished and 832 have been damaged to varying degrees.
An estimated 29,659 hectares of farmland, 125 irrigation ponds, 697 fishponds, 11,866 large and small animals, 272 roads, 14 bridges, 79 schools, 1 provincial hospital, 13 health centres, 37 water bodies, 312 electricity poles, and six water supply systems have been affected.
Telecommunication systems, office buildings, shops, factories, markets and vehicles have also been damaged.
The most affected areas are Luang Namtha province and Vientiane.
The meeting also heard a report on emergency aid, intermediate and long-term recovery plans, and the provision of domestic and foreign aid.
Participants agreed on a plan for the use of the disaster management fund, effective ways to help communities recover from the floods, an urgent recovery plan, and a future focus plan.
General Chansamone instructed the disaster management committee and others involved to show responsibility and leadership in carrying out their duties, and to ensure close coordination at all levels in order to accelerate the flood recovery effort.
He advised the officials responsible to monitor changes in the weather so they could issue warnings if necessary and ensure that the public is well informed in advance of extreme conditions.
Disaster management committees at every level, from central to local, must be fully prepared to respond to an emergency situation, he added.
Meanwhile, urgent repairs must be carried out to help affected communities return to normal as soon as possible, he advised. - Vientiane Times/ANN
