The Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam collapsed on July 23, causing
massive floods which completely isolated six villages in the Sanamxay district
of Attapeu province (Source: EPA/VNA)
So far, 100 people remain unaccounted for, the minister said,
adding that more than 6,000 people affected by the incident had been arranged
for temporary accommodations in Attapeu province.
He added that it would take many years for the country to address the serious
consequences.
Therefore, the Lao government still needs assistance and sharing from other
countries and non-governmental organisations, especially in searching and
rescuing the missing, restoring and building infrastructure in affected
villages, providing food and necessities for the victims, and preparing health
equipment, medicines and ambulances, he said.
In the short term, the government will focus on arranging temporary
accommodations for more than 6,000 people who were seriously affected by the
incident, then resettlement.
Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath said the government is setting
up an investigation committee to coordinate with international organisations to
look into the dam collapse.
The committee will examine the quality of nearly 50 hydropower dams which have
been completed as well as the design of those under construction, he said,
adding that Laos will also establish a water management board to keep track of
the volume of water in lakes.
The Lao Government had decided to halt the signing of the new Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) and Project Development Assistance (PDA) on hydropower
nationwide to conduct further assessment and revision, he added.
The Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam collapsed on July 23, causing massive floods
which completely isolated six villages in the Sanamxay district of Attapeu
province.
Source: VNA
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