Attachments
Highlights
- Since June, 145,000 people have been affected by floods, landslides and storms across Lao PDR.
- Induced by tropical cyclone Yagi, heavy rains caused additional floods and landslides in September, impacting Lao PDR’s northern provinces of Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Bokeo. As a result, 40,000 people are impacted in two districts of Luang Namtha province
- Flooding of the Mekong river in Vientiane capital prefecture and the Xam river in and around the provincial capital of Houaphan has further impacted commmunities. Assessments are underway to evaluate damage and needs.
- WFP is supporting the government in emergency distribution of rice for 14,000 severely affected people in Luang Namtha province, as well as needs assessments and logistics support for government response plans.
Situation update
- Heavy rains began on September 9, causing landslides, flooding and significant damage to property and community structures in the four northern provinces. Forty-eight villages in two districts of Luang Namtha province were most impacted, with 20 villages severely affected. More than 40,000 people are in need of assistance.
- Floodwaters have receded significantly over the weekend and cleanup has started with people returning home from the government-organised evacuation centres. People are in urgent need of food, water and personal hygiene and clothing items.
- The main road to Luang Namtha is passable and the train service in operation, but the airport remains closed.
- Floods also occurred in Phongsaly, Bokeo and Oudomxay provinces impacting roads and infrastructure.
- Rising levels in the Mekong river (up to 10 meters in the current monsoon season) have caused floods downstream, with parts of Vientiane capital prefecture impacted. Assessments are underway to evaluate damage and needs.
- Over the weekend, the Xam river in Houphan province caused floods in 10 villages of Samneua district and the provincial capital. Waters are slowly receding, as government teams are assessing the damage.