Residents warned of Mekong flood risk
Vientiane Times, By PHAISYTHONG CHANDARA
(Latest Update August 7, 2008)
People who live on the banks of the Mekong River need to monitor its rising water levels this month, the Meteorology and Hydrology Department warned yesterday.
Department Director General, Mr Pheng Piangpanya, said water levels were rising because of heavy rains in northern Laos , and could cause flooding in some low-lying districts of Borikhamxay and Khammuan provinces.
At particular risk of floods are the districts of Borikham and Pakxan in Borikhamxay province. Thakhek district in Khammuan province is also predicted to suffer floods, with 600-700mm of rain predicted this month. Between 600-800mm of rain is predicted in Vientiane during August.
Mr Pheng said the department was constantly monitoring weather conditions and also working with meteorology departments in other countries.
When the Mekong levels increase above 11 metres in lowland areas in Vientiane, or other extreme weather conditions are forecast, we immediately send out warnings through various meteorology and hydrology sectors, as well as websites, radio broadcasts, television and media agencies, to let people know what is happening, he said.
Mr Pheng said the rain around Vientiane capital yesterday was not heavy, and the Mekong was about 10.92m high
There has been heavy rain in Xieng Khuang, Xayaboury and Huaphan provinces in the past month.
The Mekong was yesterday about 14.42m high in Luang Prabang province, 13.10m in Pakxan, Borikhamxay province, 10.42m in Pakxe, Champassak province, 12.28m in Thakhek, Khammuan province, and 9.86m in Savannakhet province.
Today, the Mekong is predicted to be about 10.70m high at the bank at Km 4, 14.28m high in Luang Prabang, 9.86m in Savannakhet, 10.45m in Pakxe, 13.24m in Pakxan, and 12.32m in Thakhek.
The department typically issues a warning in Luang Prabang at 17.50m, in Vientiane at 11.50m, in Pakxan at 13.50m, in Thakhek at 13m, in Savannakhet at 12m and in Pakxe at 11m.
Danger alarms are issued should the water level reach 18m in Luang Prabang, 12.50m in Vientiane , 14.50m in Pakxan, 14m in Thakhek, 13m in Savannakhet, and 12m in Pakxe.
Current conditions are normal for this time of year and there have also been storm warnings in the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea , according to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department's Water Resource and Environment Administration.
Mr Pheng said there had been relatively little rain in central and southern Laos during the past month.
Temperatures had risen above average for about two weeks in Vientiane and in Luang Prabang and Xayaboury provinces. Above average temperatures were recorded for nine to 12 days in Bokeo and Savannakhet provinces and for one week in Huaphan, Vientiane, Borikhamxay, Khammuan, Saravan, Champassak and Xekong provinces. |
