Vang Vieng saw heavy rainfall during the early hours of Monday morning, resulting in a rapid rise in water levels across some areas of the district.
According to a report by Lao Phatthana, particularly Route 13 near Vang Vieng market, has been submerged in knee-deep water, making it almost impossible for vehicles to pass through. This morning, residents resorted to pushing their motorbikes through the flooded streets in an attempt to navigate the district.
Tourism facilities were also affected by the flooding with a receptionist at Larng Yay Vang Vieng Hotel Riverside telling the Laotian Times over a phone call that the morning downpour had surrounded the hotel with floodwater, making it difficult for guests to step out and travel in the area.
“Many guests were forced to stay in their room until the water receded, and had food and other necessities delivered to their room by our hotel staff,” informs Kom Khounsy, the receptionist at the hotel.
Fortunately, the situation improved as the day progressed, with the floodwater levels gradually decreasing, he adds.
However, it is worth noting that the flooding was localized, affecting specific parts of the district rather than the whole area.
Dokkeo Phommachanh, a woman from Huay Ngam village in Vang Vieng shared that her house remained unaffected by the floods. She adds that the flooding was caused by previously clogged sewers, which were unable to drain the excess water due to the intense rainfall.
“It is not as bad as the social media portrays it to be since the flood only affected the southern part of Vang Vieng,” she says.
Torrential rain has led to severe flooding in eight provinces across Laos, with Khammouane, Bolikhamxay, and Savannakhet provinces being hit the hardest. The continuous rainfall has also caused the water level in the Mekong River to rise to a concerning 12.5 meters on Thursday, representing a 40 percent increase from earlier this month.
In response to the flooding, five verified organizations are now accepting donations to support the victims in the affected areas. Interested residents can reach out to them for more information and donate to support the rehabilitation of victims.
