Lao Voices

On August 12, 2008, Vientiane authorities started to build a sandbag wall against potential floods by Wat Sibounheuang. Three villages in Sikhotabong have been flooded already. An examination of the river bank the day before found possible breach spots in the most important areas of the city.

The Mekong River water level has been has the highest levels in the last 100 years with prediction of flood more devastating than the big flood of 1966. The Mekong River was only a little over 12 meters that year. This year however with non-stop rain and the releasing of water from the dams up the stream, the Mekong River was exceeding the 12.5m of flood danger line of the city on August 13 at 13.6m and with prediction of reaching as high as 14.2m August 15.

Many parts in Laos have been flooded already due to heavy rains since July. For Vientiane province four deaths have been reported last month due to flooding.

Here are three clips from the Morning News on Lao National Television about the flood in Vientiane province.

Morning News on August 12, 2008.

Morning News on August 13, 2008. The Mekong River has reached dangerous level and thousands people were scrambling to protect the city center from becoming under water.

Morning News on August 14, 2008. The worse is yet to come.