VIENTIANE, Sept 29 (NNN-KPL) – Typhoon Noru, which has weakened and been downgraded to a tropical storm, has made landfall in Laos and caused flooding in southern Laos’ Attapeu province.
The weather bureau of Laos warned yesterday that, there would be more heavy rains and flooding in other areas.
According to a report by the Lao National Radio, a large number of people had been affected by the storm, and some 300 houses were believed to have been inundated in Sanxay district, in Attapeu province, some 560 km south-east of the Lao capital, Vientiane, but full reports on the situation were still being compiled.
Noru reached Laos yesterday and local authorities were trying to assist those whose homes had been flooded.
At least 2,000 people had taken refuge in shelters and had moved away from swollen rivers, said the report.
Flooding had also destroyed fishponds and damaged irrigation systems, schools, power lines, healthcare facilities, roads and other infrastructure. Local authorities were continuing to collect information about the extent of the damage.
According to the report, the Ministry of National Defence, had mobilised about 40,000 soldiers with vehicles and boats, to assist with rescue and relief operations, if necessary.
The Lao authorities urged all dams around the country to closely monitor the situation and prepare an emergency plan, especially for those whose reservoirs are nearly full.
Heavy rainfall in Laos in Aug, triggered floods that damaged houses and infrastructure, and inundated hundreds of hectares of farmland in many provinces and the capital, Vientiane.– NNN-KPL
