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MRC Ready to Support Review and Update of Lao Hydropower Strategy and Plan

By
Laotian Times
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MRC Ready to Support Lao Hydropower Review

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has welcomed the highly applauded and progressive decision of the Prime Minister of Lao PDR, following an extra-ordinary meeting of his cabinet on 6 August 2018, that the country will review all existing and under-construction dams and suspend the consideration of all new hydropower investments considering the Xepian Xenamnoy dam break.

According to the press release by the Lao government, the review and suspension will also afford the country to update its hydropower strategy and plan.

“As a regional intergovernmental organization, we wholeheartedly welcome the decision and initiative of the Lao Prime Minister to review all the dams and re-examine all new hydropower investments,” MRC CEO Pham Tuan Phan said. “We’re seeking ways to synergize Lao PDR’s efforts in reviewing and updating its hydropower strategy and plan with the MRC’s basin development strategy and plan and the on-going state of the basin report for a more sustainable Mekong region,” he added.

The MRC, in which Lao PDR is an active member, contributor and host to its Secretariat Headquarters, has long supported this country and three other Member Countries – Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam – in the sustainable development of the Mekong River basin. The Commission has both strategies and technical expertise at its disposal to assist the Member Countries, in particular Lao PDR, in this endeavor.

The MRC has recently completed a $4.7 million study on the Sustainable Development and Management of the Mekong River Basin, including the Impacts of Mainstream Hydropower Projects, known as “Council Study”. The Council Study, commissioned in late 2011 by the four Mekong Prime Ministers and completed in December 2017, indicates both positive and adverse impacts of planned water resources development.

Following the endorsement by the Mekong Prime Ministers at their 3rd MRC Summit in April 2018 to consider findings of the Council Study, the MRC is working to update a Mekong Sustainable Hydropower Development Strategy (SHDS) with alternative development pathways that consider the most optimal and sustainable portfolio of projects. This update considers regional energy needs and integration, national development goals, emerging forms of energy renewables, climate change, transboundary social and environmental considerations, cost and benefit sharing and joint projects.

The SHDS, expected to be approved by the Member Countries in early 2019, will lead to an adaptation of national plans and projects. It will also contribute to the 2019 update of a Mekong Basin Development Strategy (BDS) – a cooperative plan toward joint efforts to address national, cross-border and regional needs, challenges and opportunities – with a new Basin Development Plan (BDP) for the whole basin. The BDS/BDP prioritizes not only hydropower projects but also irrigation, flood and drought control, navigation and tourism.

The MRC will invite and closely work with its Dialogue Partners – China and Myanmar – in the update of the BDS/BDP because development and management of the Mekong River needs to be conducted from a whole of basin perspective. Mekong-related cooperation frameworks such as Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, Greater Mekong Sub-region, Lower Mekong Initiative, Mekong Japan, Mekong Korea, and Mekong Ganga are also called upon to engage and support.

The updated SHDS, Lao hydropower strategy and plan and BDS/BDP will pave the way for a more sustainable development of the Mekong River basin since prioritized development projects with high basin-wide benefits and low transboundary costs would be promoted, considered and built. These projects would then also facilitate the implementation of MRC’s guidelines, such as the Design Guidance for mainstream dams, which includes dam safety standards, and the Prior Consultation process under the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA) – a set of three separate processes undertaken by MRC Member Countries for certain projects using water from the Mekong basin, which may significantly alter water flow or water quality of the Mekong mainstream.

“While the dam break is a national tragedy, it ushers in a new hope for a more optimal, sustainable and less contentious path for development of one of the greatest rivers in the world. The governments of Lao PDR and Mekong countries deserve all our support and I call on all other Mekong-related organizations and cooperation frameworks to join us,” CEO Pham said.

Temporary Housing Underway for Attapeu Flood Victims

By
Laotian Times
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Project owners of the Xepian Xenamnoy Hydropower Project are working with local authorities to accelerate the construction of temporary accommodation to house those made homeless by the floods that devasted Sanamxay District of Attapeu.

12-14 temporary one-story structures, each with 10 rooms capable of housing 4 people are expected to be built. Toilets will also be included in the structures. If weather permits, construction is currently expected to take approximately 2 months since work began at the beginning of August.

The temporary structures will be built in a primary school in Hartyao Village and in Dongbok Village.

Director of the Attapeu Provincial Energy and Mines Department Vithaya Phommachanh said that in “in the future, we plan to build permanent houses in Tamoryord, Hindong, Nonthasengchanh and Dongbak villages as well as the necessary infrastructure.”

The number of people who will require accommodation in the temporary houses is unclear at this stage because the figures have fluctuated after some people returned home when the floodwater receded.

Sanamxay district chief Bounhome Phommasane said that there were over 7000 villagers affected by the flooding – over a thousand families from 6 villages were heavily impacted.

The affected families are currently living in 439 temporary camps in Sanamxay.

Large numbers of people are still in need of rice and other food, along with drinking water, cooking equipment, and other essential items.

As of yesterday, the death toll from the flood caused by the collapse of an auxiliary dam at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project had climbed to 35, including three injured people who died in hospital. Some 99 people are still missing.

Source: Vientiane Times, Lao Economic Daily

Displaced Flood Victims At Risk of “Moving” UXOs

By
Laotian Times
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Thousands of people in the southern province of Attapeu, whose homes were swept away flash floods following the collapse of an auxiliary dam of the Xepian Xenamnoy Hydropower Project in Laos several weeks ago, are seeking shelter in areas known to be contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO), experts say, as mud and flood water obstruct aid efforts.

The United Nations said that Attapeu is exceptionally contaminated by UXOs with almost 320 hectares in Sanamxay district (the site hardest hit by flooding), where people are sheltering in camps that are designated as “confirmed hazardous areas”.

It had been reported earlier this week that 34 people were confirmed dead, 97 missing and 6,000 had been evacuated so far.

“There’s a real danger that explosive items on or in the ground will have moved,” said Blossum Gilmour, Lao Country Director for Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a British NGO that assists people affected by landmines.

“Areas which have been cleared of bombs may need re-clearing … But also, as people are evacuated from their homes, they may be relocated to places which have not yet been cleared.”

Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in the world as a result of a secret bombing campaign by the United States during the Vietnam conflict several decades ago.

Much of Laos is still littered with UXOs, despite decades of clearance efforts, with about 300 new casualties each year, many of them children, MAG says.

Laos was hit by a tropical storm on July 18 and 19, which caused flooding in parts of 13 provinces, including Attapeu, the United Nations said. As floodwaters rose, a saddle dam that was part of Laos’ $1.2 billion Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project collapsed, sending torrents of water crashing into neighboring villages.

The U.N. said three camps “remain largely inaccessible” and that aid officials are in discussion with the military about using its helicopters to provide “last mile delivery” of relief items, including food.

With seasonal rains continuing until September and water levels rising in the Mekong River and its tributaries, “flooding across the country may spread further,” the U.N. said.

Source: Reuters
Feature Image: HuffPost

Lao Samsung Electronics donates US$100,000 to assist with Attapeu flood

By
Laotian Times
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(Vientiane Capital) On the afternoon of August 3, 2018 at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr. Seungho Choi, Managing Director of Lao Samsung Electronics Sole Co., Ltd., met with Mr. Khampheng Xaysompheng, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, to deliver his condolences on the flood disaster in Sanamxay District, Attapeu Province on 23 July 2018, which caused a severe loss of life and property of villagers in the area.

In addition, Mr. Choi, Managing Director of Lao Samsung Electronics, delivered aid in the total of US$100,000 to the government in order to help alleviate flood victims affected by this tragedy. This aid will be in the form of goods and emergency relief supplies during the immediate aftermath of the disaster and the recovery period.

“For this $100,000 assistance, Lao Samsung Electronics is assisting in the form of goods, but will respect the decision of the Government of the Lao PDR because I believe that the government knows best what the affected villagers require. If the government needs certain supplies, Lao Samsung Electronics will cooperate closely in order to get the supplies as needed,” Mr. Choi stated.

Along with this, Mr. Choi also gave words of support to those affected by the tragedy and their families, as well as encouraging everyone to be strong, and hoping that those affected will be able to move on from this tragedy safely.

 

#SamsungforAttapeu

Lao Government to Suspend All New Hydropower Dam Projects

By
Laotian Times
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Lao Government Suspends Hydropower Dam Projects

The government of Laos has announced renewed inspection of existing hydropower dams and suspension of new projects in the wake of the collapse of a dam in Attapeu province.

The announcement was made at the closure of the cabinet’s two-day extraordinary meeting, which ended yesterday afternoon.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, dealt with the progress of relief and reconstruction in the aftermath of the dam collapse disaster.

Inspections of all dams across the country, including those under construction and those in operation, will be undertaken by a special committee comprised of representatives from the Ministries of Public Works and Transport, Natural Resources and Environment, and Science and Technology. A group of international experts will also assist in the inspections.

The team will check for flaws in the design or construction of dams.

The government also made the decision to temporarily suspend new investments in hydropower projects while it reviews its future hydropower development strategy.

Meanwhile, a new task force will be established to investigate the reason behind the collapse of saddle dam D at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower installation on July 23, which flooded villages in Sanamxay district, leaving 100 people missing and thousands homeless.

The new investigative task force will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Government Inspection Authority, Dr Bounthong Chitmany.

To ensure transparency, representatives of the governments of the Republic of Korea and Thailand will be invited to observe the investigation process.

Dr Bounthong will also investigate state authorities responsible for the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project, and also those responsible for issuing warnings ahead of the incident.

When drawing to a close, the cabinet meeting expressed its deepest gratitude to all individuals and organizations, both Lao and foreign, who gave invaluable assistance and support in the wake of the disaster.

 Image: WorldFish

Death Toll Rises to 34 in Attapeu Following Floods

By
Laotian Times
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Attapeu Dam Death Toll Rises to 34

The official death toll from the dam collapse in Attapeu province has now reached 34, after three people died in hospital.

One passed away in Sanamxay district hospital, while the other two died at the Attapeu provincial hospital, according to the special government task force which was set up to manage the aftermath of the disaster.

Over 100 people remain unaccounted for after the dam collapse which occurred on July 23, and which caused floodwaters to submerge whole villages.

A total of 13 villages, home to 13,067 people, were affected by the flooding, with over 7,000 people left homeless. The displaced persons are being accommodated at temporary shelters in schools and other government buildings.

Assistance has been provided by a number of countries, including Australia, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and China, among others, as rescue workers continue to search for survivors.

According to the Vientiane Times, donations provided to Laos and distributed throught he Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare has amounted to more than 14 billion kip, 16.6 million Thai baht, and almost US $2 million, as well as 100 million Vietnamese dong.

Medical staff are hand to provide health services, including nutrition and hygiene assistance, and work has begun repairing roads to facilitate transportation of relief supplies.

In celebration of the 45th anniversary of Beerlao

By
Laotian Times
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In celebration of the 45th anniversary of Beerlao, Tiger head Drinking Water is running a special promotion to return some of our profits to consumers, whereby you collect Beerlao lids in exchange for a variety of amazing prizes, amounting to over 5,000,000,000 kip. All you have to do is collect gold lids to exchange for a range of prizes.

There are also two grades of prizes to go for:

Grade 1: Save up lids to exchange for prizes with distributors nationwide:

30 lids can be exchanged immediately for one large bottle of drinking water in addition to one prize draw ticket.

300 lids can be exchanged immediately for one umbrella in addition to 10 prize draw tickets.

1,000 lids can be exchanged immediately for one jacket in addition to 30 prize draw tickets.

Grade 2: Fill out your prize draw tickets with your name, address, and contact telephone number, and put them into the prize draw boxes in order to stand a chance of winning a Ford automobile, a two-saleung (about 7.58g) necklace, or one of 100 other prizes.

The draws for the automobiles will be taking place on 16 September 2018 and 18 October. The draws for the gold necklaces shall be held every two weeks, starting on 9 August 2018. Follow draws live at: https://www.facebook.com/tigerheadlaos. Come and exchange your lids in exchange for lots of prizes!

Remarks:

  • Only the gold lids may be exchanged for prize draw tickets.
  • Every weekend, Tigerhead Drinking Water will be setting up booths for your convenience and to make it easy to send in your prize draw tickets.
  • This promotion has already begun and shall continue until 14 October 2018 or until the prizes are finished.

Laos Has Not Restricted Foreign Media in Attapeu

By
Laotian Times
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Laos has not restricted foreign media

A little more than a week has passed since the collapse of Saddle Dam D at the Xe-Pian Xe-Nam Noy Dam on July 23, and rescuers continue to search for victims of the disaster, while aid has flooded in both domestically and from abroad.

News of the incident has been widely reported by Lao state media as well as international media, and coverage by Thai news agencies has been particularly extensive.

During the initial confusion following the disaster, some news sources made claims that foreign media were denied access to the site, saying visas were refused or reporters were turned away.

Media visas were initially unable to be issued during the uncertainty following the incident and when the extent of the danger remained unknown. By the 27th of July, however, a registration zone had been set up in Sanamxay District where members of the press, both Lao and foreign, could register and receive a press pass.

 

 

Thai Channel 3 reporter, Ms Thapanee Letsrichai, released a video on YouTube explaining that foreign media had been granted full access to the disaster area in Attapeu, and were being registered on site. In her video, Ms Thapanee mentions a simple registration process involving verification of a press ID and passport. She goes on to say that no fees were required as part of this process.

The Lao PDR offers an M-B2 visa type, which is provided to foreign journalists who wish to cover events in Laos. Applications for the M-B2 visa can be made at a Lao consulate abroad or on arrival in Laos. More information can be found at the Lao Department of Immigration website.

 

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