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Government Appoints Special Task Force to Combat National Level Crises

By
Laotian Times
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The Lao Government has upheld its commitment to improving its disaster management system nationwide by establishing a special committee tasked with overseeing the management of national level crises.

Following the failure of a saddle dam at Xe Pian Xe Namnoy hydropower reservoir in the southern province of Attapeu, Prime Minister Thongloun announced in an official decision yesterday the officials that comprise the special committee.

The special committee is tasked with being the coordinating body between all relevant parties at all levels. It is to perform analyses of the damages done by the disaster and employ solutions to mitigate its effects. The committee is to investigate upon the causes of the disaster and take the necessary precautions to prevent it in the future. It is also its responsibility to spread public awareness of the disaster and provide the public with up to date news and developments.

The leadership of the committee responsible for oversight includes:

  1. Chairman: Sonxay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister
  2. Vice Chairman: Lieutenant General Souvone Leuangbounmee, Vice Minister of National Defense 
  3. Member: Brigadier General Sinthavong Sayakone, Vice Minister of Public Security
  4. Member: Dr Khamkeo Sanebounkounxay, Vice Minister of Labor and Social Welfare
  5. Member: Phouthone Meuangpak, Vice Minister of Health
  6. Member: Khamphao Ernthavan, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
  7. Member: Thongphat Vongmany, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
  8. Member: Chansone Senebouthalat, Vice Minister of Energy and Mines
  9. Member: Savankhone Razmountry, Vice Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism
  10. Member: Bounmy Phouthavong, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment
  11. Member: Vilaykham Phosalat, Vice Minister of Public Works and Transportation
  12. Member: Atsaphangthong Siphandone, Vice Minister of Finance
  13. Member: Dr Khamphai Sisavan, Vice Minister of Education and Sports
  14. Member: Vice Governors of the affected Province

Members of the coordinating division are as follows:

  1. Somsanith Souvannalath, Vice Minister, Prime Minister’s Office
  2. Sathit Phetsingleuang, Acting Director of the Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office
  3. Linkham Douangsavanh, Director of Research
  4. Somkiat Phasy, Director of Communications
  5. Sengthong Manichanh, Director of Administration, Protocol and Finance
  6. Director of Social Charity, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare
  7. Director of the Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  8. Director of Mass Media, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism
  9. Director of Planning, Ministry of Planning and Investment
  10. Director of Hydrology and Meteorology, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Dam Failure Due to Substandard Construction Says Minister

By
Laotian Times
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minister khammany dam failure

Minister of Energy and Mines, Dr Khammany Inthirath, told the media that the collapse of the Saddle Dam at the Xe-Pian Xe-Nam Noy Dam on July 23 was likely due to substandard construction.

The dam failure incident caused catastrophic damage to Sanamxay District in Attapeu Province, with hundreds of people missing and thousands displaced. Foreign and local rescue teams are at the scene locating survivors and disbursing supplies.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Minister Khammany said that the government is still investigating the cause of the incident, but that substandard construction coupled with unexpected rainfall was to blame.

“There may have been a crack in the saddle dam which allowed water to pass through, widening to a hole large enough to cause the collapse,” he said.

Dr Khammany went on to say that the government has launched a full-scale investigation, headed by a newly appointed committee, and that all affected residents will be fully compensated.

The committee will work with the project developers and local authorities to assess the disaster and fully understand the cause.

The dam collapse has so far displaced 3,060 people, while 131 remain unaccounted for. Only four deaths have been recorded so far.

Source: KPL

Power Company to Accept Responsibility for Dam Collapse

By
Laotian Times
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power company to accept responsibility for dam collapse

The Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Power Company is to take full responsibility for the collapse of the saddle dam that caused a national emergency in Attapeu Province.

The company has so far refrained from making an official statement, however the Minister of Energy and Mines, Dr Khammany Inthirath confirmed in a press conference yesterday that the company would be fully accountable in accordance with the law.

He stated that compensation for all damage to the livelihoods and property of local people would be borne by the power company, as per the conditions of its concession agreement.

Mr Khammany continued that the government would be working with project developers as well as emergency workers to focus on rescue and rehabilitation of those affected by the dam collapse.

According to the Vientiane Times, which spoke to an official at the company, the firm was ready to handle the incident following the concession agreement and related laws. The official told the newspaper that the company would not deny its responsibility for the flood and its consequences.

After the rescue efforts have been completed, a long-term reconstruction phase will begin, including rebuilding of settlements, including accommodation and land for affected people.

Funding for the reconstruction efforts would stem from the power company and its developers.

While the government has emphasized that the dam must take responsibility in accordance with its concession agreement, concerns have been raised in regard to social justice, and the need to care for those who lost family members in the floods.

 

Regional flooding continues

The situation has been intensified by the impact of tropical storm Son Tinh, which has caused widespread flooding across Laos and the region. The flood situation has made it more difficult for waters driven by the dam collapse to drain out into the sea, causing rising water levels in Cambodia as the torrents make their way to the Mekong Delta.

Engineering experts from Korea and Thailand are inspecting the site of the dam to investigate the cause of the disaster.

It is expected that the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Power Company will make its statement following the results of the investigation.

MRC Monitors Rising Mekong Water Levels

By
Laotian Times
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The Mekong River’s water levels have increased rapidly during the period from July 15 – 24, with a rise of over four meters in some stations along the mainstream. But they are currently not at an alarming level yet.

In the upstream part of Laos in Luang Prabang, water levels have risen from 8.97 meters on 18 July to 13.32 on 23 July, a rise of slightly above four meters. A sudden increase was detected at this motoring station, with a jump from 10.85 to 13.28 meters during 21-22 July.

Water levels in Vientiane monitoring station also have increased from 4.64 meters on 18 July to 9.40 meters on 24 July, representing an almost 5-meter rise in five days. Further downstream of Laos in Pakse, water levels increased by two and a half meters, moving from 7.68 on 17 July to 10.11 meters on 20 July.

In Nong Khai of Thailand, there was an increase of almost five meters, with water levels at the stations climbing from 5.58 to 10.30 meters over this monitoring period. Slightly down the mainstream in Thailand, water levels in Nakhon Phanom station plunged from six meters on 15 July to 9.88 meters on 24 July, indicating an almost 4-meter drop over 10 days. At 10.30am yesterday, the water levels in this station were recorded at 9.949 meters, which is 1.5 meters lower than the alarm level of 11.5 meters and two meters below the flood level.

With this continued increase in water levels and possible additional rainfall in the upper part of the basin, Nakhon Phanom and Pakse water monitoring stations may expect to reach their alarm levels (12 meters at Nakhon Phanom station and 11 meters at Pakse station) on 27 and 29 July, respectively.

In Cambodia, three particular water monitoring stations in Stung Treng, Kratie and Kampong Cham all indicated an increase. Water levels in Stung Treng had risen rapidly from 5.25 meters on 8 July to 9.48 meters on 21 July, while in Kratie, the water levels had jumped from 12.5 meters to 19.85 meters over the same period. In Kampong Cham, there was an increase of 6.12 meters, with the water levels moving from 7.05 meters on 08 July to 13.17 meters on 22 July.

The water monitoring stations in Vietnam did not show any increases or worrying trends yet.

Analysis of the Mekong River Commission’s data reveals that the rapid rise of water levels are the result of an extremely high level of rainfall from the upper part of Luang Prabang to Vientiane due to the effects of tropical storm Son-Tinh. This caused a rapid rise in the water levels of many of the Mekong’s tributaries and resulted in a rapid peak in the mainstream.

During the flood season, the MRC’s Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Center (RFMMC) provides daily flood forecasting for key stations along the Mekong mainstream from Chiang Sean of Thailand to Tan Chau and Chau Doc of Vietnam. The Commission also conducts Flash Flood Guidance over the lower Mekong basin based on Satellite Rainfall Estimate.

Information on flood forecasting and flash flood guidance can be accessed here.

Information on water monitoring at the stations on the Mekong mainstream can also be found here.

Source: MRC

International Community Offers Support for Laos following Dam Collapse

By
Laotian Times
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China Sends Rescue Team to Laos

Several foreign countries have begun offering assistance to Laos following the collapse of the Xe-Pian Dam in Attapeu Province on Monday.

The event has been officially classified as a national disaster, with Lao government and military personnel being deployed to the site. 

The plight of affected villagers, desperate, hungry and homeless, has deeply affected the people of Laos, and large sums have already been mobilized domestically. Community drives to raise funds and collect donations of food, clothing, blankets, and sanitary products have been set up across the nation, with desperately needed items beginning to make their way down south.

State commercial bank BCEL has utilized its BCEL One Heart crowdfunding initiative to help consolidate fundraising at the national effort, with donations to date reaching 2.9 billion kip.

Meanwhile, donations from foreign countries are now beginning to flow in.

Donated Items

Countries that have provided support to Laos:

The Republic of Korea has sent a team of rescuers, helicopters and boats to assist in rescue efforts.

The King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, personally donated 1 million baht as well as emergency equipment, supplies and medication. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also pledged five million baht on behalf of the Thai government.

The Japanese government has donated equipment and supplies through its aid agency, JICA, while the Republic of Singapore has donated 100,000 USD.

China has responded to the crisis by sending a team of over 100 rescue personnel.

Vietnam has also pledged its support and is expected to send materials via the border at Phu Keua.

 

Source: South China Morning Post, Xinhua, Lao Post

Lao Dam Collapse Floodwaters Hit Stung Treng, Cambodia

By
Laotian Times
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stung treng cambodia affected by lao damcollapse

Floodwaters from the dam collapse in southern Laos have hit Stung Treng province in Cambodia, causing the evacuation of over 5,000 people.

The Cambodian Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology stated that floodwaters from the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam in Laos have directly affected parts of Stung Treng, which had already been inundated after heavy rains.

Authorities in Stung Treng initially planned to evacuate only 557 families, however the number rose to 1,289 families in communities along the Sekong River after water levels rose to dangerous levels following the dam collapse in Laos.

The water level in the river is now at 11.5 meters.

Soldiers were released from border areas to assist with transporting evacuees.

The Mekong River Commission, which is closely monitoring the situation, stated yesterday that the Lao dam collapse was a great tragedy and has offered its support.

“We express condolences for this national tragedy in Lao PDR. We stand ready to visit the site as well as to provide appropriate support in this time of need,” said MRC Chief Executive Officer Pham Tuan Phan.

Source: Khmer Times, MRC

United Nations OCHA Releases Exposure and Needs Infographic

By
Laotian Times
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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs‘ Relief Web, a leading online source for reliable and timely humanitarian information on global crises and disasters, has released an infographic that profiles the dam break exposure and depicts an estimate on the needs of those affected.

The figures demonstrate the catastrophic damage wrought by the flash floods.


About Relief Web and OCHA

ReliefWeb is the leading humanitarian information source on global crises and disasters. It is a specialized digital service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

We provide reliable and timely information, enabling humanitarian workers to make informed decisions and to plan effective response. We collect and deliver key information, including the latest reports, maps and infographics from trusted sources.

 

 

Mekong River Commission Closely Monitors Attapeu Flooding Situation

By
Laotian Times
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Vientiane, Laos, 25 July 2018 – The Mekong River Commission is monitoring closely the situation unfolding since 24 July on the flooding in Attapeu in southern Laos due to the incident with the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Hydropower Project.

According to a notification document by the Lao government sent to the MRC, the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy project is located on the Xe-Pian and Xe-Namnoy Rivers in Champasak (Districts of Paksong, Pathoumphone and Champsack) and Attapeu (Districts of Samakhixay and Sanamxay). The project consists of two major dams – Xe-Pian and Xe-Namnoy – and five saddle dams (smaller auxiliary dams). The Xe-Pian Dam (48 meters high) is a concrete-gravity and earth fill dam, while the Xe-Namnoy (77 meter high) is a clay-core and rock-fill dam.

It was reported by Lao state media that, on 23 July, one of the saddle dams failed and unleashed flash flooding into the Xe-Pian river affecting the six villages of Sanamxay District including Yai Thae, Hinlad, Mai, Thasengchan, Tha Hin, and Samong. Hinlad and Mai villages were the hardest hit.

“We express condolences for this national tragedy in Lao PDR. We stand ready to visit the site as well as to provide appropriate support in this time of need,” MRC Chief Executive Officer Pham Tuan Phan said.

The Xe-Pian River (and Xe-Namnoy River) flow into the Xekong River, a major tributary of the Mekong. The distance from the dam to the confluence of the Xekong and Mekong is about 283 km. Located right below the confluence is Stung Treng in Cambodia with Kratie about 124 km further down.

According to the MRC monitoring station in Siem Pang District (Stung Treng in Cambodia) on the Xekong River, the observed water level recorded automatically in 15-min intervals, the water level increased by approximately 3 meters from 4pm of 23 July 2018 till 2pm today. At 4pm on 23 July, the water level at Siem Pang was observed at 8.4m and today, it was observed at 11.4m (at 2:30pm). Siem Pang is about 187km downstream of the dam and 96km upstream of the Xekong – Mekong confluence. This is close to the alarm level of 11.5m.

In the next few days, we expect that the flood water from Xekong together with the flow from the Mekong upstream will cause rising water levels further downstream including in Stung Treng and Kratie. Currently (2.30pm today), the water levels in Stung Treng and Kratie are 9.68m and 19.97m respectively. Alarm levels are NOT expected to be reached within the next few days. The alarm levels in Stung Treng are 10.7m and Kratie is 22.0m.

For updated forecast water levels from MRC, see the daily bulletin.

The Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company (PNPC) is a Korean-Thai-Lao joint investment, with 26% from SK Engineering & Construction, 25% Korea Western Power Company, 25% Ratchaburi Electricity Holding, and 24% Lao Holding State Enterprise.

The project, which is estimated to cost US$1.02 billion, is the first build-operate-transfer (BOT) project to be undertaken by South Korean companies in Laos. In addition to electricity generation, the project will also provide irrigation, with 6km channels connected to the powerhouse.

The Lao government notified MRC in September 2013 in accordance with the notification mechanism under the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA). Notified projects on Mekong tributaries are not required to undergo MRC’s prior consultation process, including assessments. Projects on tributaries follow national laws and regulations.

Source: Mekong River Commission

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Le Thi Huong Lien
Communication Officer 
E-mail: huonglien@mrcmekong.org
Phone: +856-21-263263, ext. 4704

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