Disasters and emergency response

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times) – The Mekong, one of the largest rivers in South East Asia, is experiencing a historically low level, and Vientiane residents whose livelihoods depend on the river are struggling to sustain their businesses.Mr Xaysana Bounyalath, who has been fishing in the river ...

Water levels in the Mekong River are now at the lowest point in a century as of July 19, lower than a record set in April 1973.South East Asia’s Stimson Centre claims that, based on recent satellite images, the drastic lowering of the water level ...

The Mekong River, which flows through Laos, is experiencing a record low water level amid deficient rainfall.In Vientiane, the water level of the Mekong is 0.7 meters, or 5.54 meters below its long-term average water level measured over 57 years (1961-2018). It is about 1.36 ...

Nearly one year after the collapse of a saddle dam that caused a disaster described as Laos’ worst flooding in decades, struggling survivors are reluctantly accepting compensation for about 50 percent of their total property losses.The disaster occurred on July 23, 2018, when a saddle ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Some 89 households were moved to higher ground after heavy rainfall over several hours caused flash flooding to dwellings and routes in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province on July 2-3.Sanamxay district Governor Bounhom Phommasane told Vientiane Times yesterday that “Authorities did not ...

Blue Emergency Poles, which began to appear across Vientiane a few months ago, are designed to provide a real-time emergency response service and on-the-spot assistance when necessary, the Laotian Times has learned.When citizens press a button attached to the poles, officials at emergency services centers ...

Laos has agreed in principle to provide data and information about water resources and management plans involving the Mekong River directly to Thai authorities to assess the water situation and take action to prevent floods in eight northeastern provinces. More ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Electricity bills at Sanamxay Secondary School in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province, will now be much lower thanks to help from the Korea Western Power Company Limited (KOWEPO), which has installed solar power at the school.The company decided to help the school ...

A South Korean construction firm has dismissed the latest findings by the Lao government that are cited as the reason for a fatal hydropower dam collapse last year in Laos.SK Engineering & Construction said in a press release on 29 May that the company could not agree ...

Vientiane (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The fatal collapse of a dam at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy (PNPC) hydroelectric plant on 23 July 2018 was caused by poor construction methods with soil used in lieu of concrete.The Laotian government made the announcement yesterday, citing the conclusions of the International Expert Panel ...