2. FLOOD IN LAO PDR 2002 Presentation for Second Annual Mekong Flood Forum, October 28-29, 2003

3. Contents of this Presentation Background Floods and droughts Flood management Recommendations

4. Background Landlocked country to Land Link Country Territory = 236,800 square kilometers Bordered with China, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and Cambodia Mekong flows through Laos, 1,860 km Catchment areas covers more than 35% Wet season from June - November Tropical climate

5. Floods and droughts Flood years in the past: 1966, 1995, 2001 and 2002

10. Floods in 2002 were heavy and were enhaced by the Vongfong-14 storm –Flash floods - 3 days in Northern & Centre (LouangNamtha, Phongsaly and Bolikhamxay) –Plain areas - 2 weeks in Lowland (Bokeo, LouangPhabang, Vientiane, Borikhamxay, Khammoune, Savanakhet, Saravanh, Champasack and Attapeu Floods affected 12 provinces; 43 districts; 1,000 villages; 30,000 families; 8,556 households damaged and 3 persons died Floods and droughts (cont.)

12. Summary of flood impacts in 2002 1. Effects on agricultural land: Planting Area= 563.400 haPlanting Area= 563.400 ha Flooded Area= 58.890 haFlooded Area= 58.890 ha Loss Area= 37.300 haLoss Area= 37.300 ha Cost estimate= 33 bill.KIPS (3,3mill.$)

13. 2. Effects on irrigation systems: 389 of Irrigation Project389 of Irrigation Project Irrigation Channel System DamagedIrrigation Channel System Damaged Cost Estimated = 37,3bill.Kips (3,73mill.$)Cost Estimated = 37,3bill.Kips (3,73mill.$) 2.630 m of Irrigation Channel- Damages2.630 m of Irrigation Channel- Damages Cost estimated= 37,3 bill.Kips (3,73mill.$)

14. 3. Effects on livestock & fishery: 76 buffaloes and 17 cows 76 buffaloes and 17 cows 151 pigs and 3,840 poultry 151 pigs and 3,840 poultry 382 domestic fishponds (265 ha) 382 domestic fishponds (265 ha) 58 nursery ponds (13 ha or 450.000) 58 nursery ponds (13 ha or 450.000) Cost estimated= 17 bill.Kips (1,7mill.$)

15. 4. Other effects: Roads, hospitals, schools, factories, etc. Roads, hospitals, schools, factories, etc. (no obvious data) (no obvious data) There was no drought in Lao PDR in 2002

16. 1. Flash floods LouangNamtha: LouangNamtha: 01 Districts, 02 Villages, 94 Families, 480 people Borikhamxay Province: Borikhamxay Province: 05 D, 93V,5666F, 28.028pp Phongsaly : 04D, 68V, 2280F, 12405pp Phongsaly : 04D, 68V, 2280F, 12405pp 2. Floods along the Mekong River Vientiane Capital: Vientiane Capital: 09 D, 95 V, 4.132F, 21.405pp Vientiane Province: Vientiane Province: 02 D, 04 V, 80 F, 709 PP Flood effects in 2002

17. Khammoune Province: 2 D, 69 V, 1.483 F, 7.860 PP Oudomxay Province: 2 D, 37 V, 947 F, 5.537 PP Lungprabang Province: 5 D, 39 V, 3507 F, 2046 PP Savanakhet Province: 7 D, 120 V, 11.977 F, 46.333 PP Champasak Province: 8D, 392V, 13679F, 79009pp Xiengkhouang Province: 3 D, 27 V, 176F, 556 pp Attapu Province: 2 D, 28 V, 1682F, 6028 pp

18. Flood management 1. Under Supervision of the PMO Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Ministry of Industry and Handicraft 2. Ad Hoc FM Committee Flow Chart

19. Flood Mitigation Measures Floods cannot be controlled; but FMC should be carried out : 1.Preparedness for social lives Work closely with line agencies concerned Check the flood protection sluice Install pumping stations Manage embankment and dykes Manage Nam Ngum Dam operation Lay down the sandbags Help Villagers (in case emergency)

20. 2. Flood Response : MAF, MLSW, NDMC have worked closely with provincial and local authorities: Got data & information on flood situation (whole country) Provided seed for farmers/villagers after floods withdrew Requested assistance from donors Arranged technical staff, tools and equipment for helping flood victims

21. 3. Activities carried out during & after floods 2002 Authorities concerned visited flood areas Sent technical staff to flood areas to collect data & information on social & economic damage Prepared the second crops, nursery ponds, etc Coordinated with local authorities to help flood victims with drinking water and food

22. Recommendation A. Immediate future: 2005-2010 Civil construction & infrastructures built above flood level Agricultural production : Cultivation will be started once flood withdraw Cropping patterns & varieties change will be applied to double crops: October to July Selection of appropriate crop patterns so that flood risk can be prevented (managed)

23. For frequently flooded areas along Mekong river & its tributaries, optimum solution is “Stay with flood” Residential accommodation works & industrial zones will be removed to higher locations Flood forecasts & floods warning will be extended to communities on time Improved & extended communication systems Relief to flood victims

24. B. Long term period after 2010 Construction of dikes, sluices & drainage pumping stations required to control & mitigate floodwater from Mekong river & tributaries Embankments & dyke systems to control early flood Water logging drainage structures will be constructed in combination with flood control structures Build on-farm drainage systems in specific areas

25. Meteo-hydrological stations should be completed including rain-gauge stations Information & data need to be collected & update annually on losses and damage caused by flood, flood marks, flood duration, flooded areas etc….These will be synthesized to assess flood reasons Residential areas will be removed to the upper areas Thank you!