Typhoon Ketsana floods villages in three Laos provinces; many houses underwater

At least 13 villages in Sepone, Nong and Phin District, Savannakhet province located south of Laos were severely flooded as Typhoon Ketsana made a landfall yesterday (30 Sept 2009).

Earlier forecast has indicated Ketsana will affect three provinces namely Khammouane, Bolikhamxay and Savannakhet with a total of 13 World Vision area development programs.

At the district, which is one of World Vision’s project areas, seven out of the 13 villages are now underwater and many were submerged up to the roofs. One villager said, “It was the first time we have experienced such serious flooding. We never expected this to happen.” Many of the villagers said the last flood happened 30 years ago.

In Sepone alone, an estimated 5,645 people were badly affected and urgently need immediate help. There are over 2,000 sponsored children in affected areas and World Vision Laos staff are monitoring the situation to ensure their safety and well-being.

A relief team has been deployed to do an assessment and will provide initial relief response to the flooded population.  Sepone’s Area Development Programme manager Deddavone says, “We will do whatever is possible to bring food and water to the families affected by the floods.”

The villagers’ primary needs as identified in the initial assessment are food, clothes, blankets and medicine. There is a serious threat on the health of the people, especially children, who are now in temporary evacuation camps. Schools are closed temporarily.