Tropical storm Ketsana leaves thousands homeless in Laos

October 09, 2009

(Post by CAAI News Media)

Tropical storm Ketsana which hit Lao southern provinces last week has left thousands of people homeless in the country, Lao newspaper the Vientiane Times reported Friday.

The storm hit Lao provinces of Savannakhet, Saravan, Attapeu, and Xekong. Among them, Attapeu and Xekong provinces are the worst affected, said the newspaper.

Property losses in the storm-hit provinces were estimated at about 854 billion Lao kip (100.4 million U.S. dollars), according to the newspaper.

In Xekong province, at least 508 houses were completely destroyed and 76 others were partially damaged, leaving 8,805 people homeless, said provincial Deputy Governor Phonphet Kiewlavong.

Officials are currently involved in relief efforts in Dakcheungdistrict, one of the three worst-hit areas, where figures on losses and damage have not been reported yet, said Phonphet.

In Attapeu province, floods caused by the storm affected a total area of 95,587 hectares, inundating houses, schools, offices, business facilities, farmland and livestock grazing land, according to initial reports from the province.

Some 72,850 people, out of the province's total population of 123,398, have been affected by the floodwaters, said Attapeu provincial Deputy Governor Khainthong Sisouvong.

Many people in Xekong and Attapeu provinces will face rice shortages for the next six months, according to the newspaper.

Meanwhile, more than 80 families have been left homeless due to the storm in Saravan and Savannakhet provinces.

Officials are now rushing to help affected residents rebuild houses and set up temporary shelters.

Provincial authorities said urgent requirements include food, drinking water, household and cooking equipment, medicines and construction materials, according to the newspaper.

So far, only one fatality due to the storm in Attapeu province has been confirmed in Laos, said the newspaper.

Source: Xinhua