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Lao PDR

WFP Lao PDR: Flood situation update (16 September 2024)

Situation Report
Source
Posted
Originally published

Highlights

  • Induced by tropical cyclone YAGI, heavy rains caused floods and landslides, impacting Lao PDR’s northern provinces of Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Bokeo.

  • 40,000 people are impacted in 2 districts of Luang Namtha province.

  • Rising Mekong levels (up to 10 meters in the current monsoon season) have caused floods downstreams, with parts of Hadsayphong district in Vientiane prefecture impacted. Assessments are underway to evaluate damage and needs.

Situation update

  • Heavy rains began on September 9, causing landslides, flooding and significant damage to houses, rice paddies and other assets in the four northern provinces. 44 villages in 2 districts of Luang Namtha province were most severely affected (31 villages in Luang Namtha, 13 in Nalea district). More than 40,000 people are in need of assistance, with some 33,000 displaced. One person has been reported dead, and two missing.

  • Floodwaters have receded significantly over the weekend in Luang Namtha province, cleanup has started and people are returning home from the evactuation centres set up earlier by government. People are in urgent need of food, water, clothing, bedding and cleaning supplies.

  • The main road to Luang Namtha is currently passable. The airport is closed. The train line to Nateuy station in Luang Namtha operating normally again, after temporary sustpension due to high water levels. The border station in Boten to China remains closed due to flood damage at the immigration office.

  • Floods also occurred in Bountai and landslides in Bounneua district of Phongsaly province. In Oudomxay province, Hoon and Xay districts had impacts, with flooding on bridges and roads. In Bokeo province, Thonpeung and Meuang are reported to have been affected.

  • In Xayabouly province, 18 villages across 5 districts were affected by flooding. One person died in Xienghone district.

  • Rising waterlevels downstream have also affected Luang Prabang, Vientiane prefecture and Bolikhamxay provinces, with Vientiane prefecture’s Hatsayfong district currently partly inundated. Assessments are underway to establish damage and needs.

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