Laos declares flooded south a disaster zone
LAOS has declared its southern Attapeu and Champasak provinces a national disaster zone after they got heavily flooded through yesterday’s dam collapse and continuous torrential rain, Sanook.com reported this morning (July 25, 2018).
The main transport route to southern Laos is also now unusable after getting badly flooded and damaged.
According to a BBC report, at least 20 people are dead and over 100 people are still missing, with thousands having lost their homes after Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam located on a plateau in Attapeu province, just 80 kilometers away from Pakse city, cracked and then collapsed yesterday, sending 5 billion cubic meters of water suddenly gushing out.
Sanook.com, quoting a report published at the Facebook page of Foreign Ministry’s Consular Affairs Department, said no Thais have been killed or injured in this disaster.
Thais trapped in the disaster zone are urged to follow the news and obey suggestions. They can call the following telephone numbers for information and help:
- Hotline Consulate-General in Savannakhet: Tel +856 20 2838 0338 or +856 20 2271 7060;
- Call Center Department of Consular Affairs: Tel +66 2 572 8442
Meanwhile Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he has been informed of the disaster and has ordered problems to be resolved and help given to Laos.
Mr Kiatikun Chartprasert, Thai Ambassador to Laos, will be giving 100,000 baht initial help to Lao Foreign Minister Mrs Khamphao Ernthavanh today.
The Thai private sector is also donating cash to help Laos with Thai-Lao Business Council and the Thai Businessmen Association in Laos together handing over 10,000 baht and collecting goods to help the victims.
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Top: Dam collapse victims fleeing for safety last night. Photo: Sanook.com
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