Vientiane may pose risky inundation due to many storms

VIENTIANE,14.03.2012 (KPL) - Many tropical storms are forecasted to pass through Laos this year which may cause the level of Mekong and other tributary rivers to increase countrywide as the same 2008, according to a recent forecast of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. To prevent the inundation that will maybe occur in Vientiane Capital like 2008, hence the Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has convened all concerned sectors, especially the subcontract companies of Mekong River Embankment Construction at meeting to discuss a preparatory plan for curbing the coming natural disaster. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Khamphath Soulinphoummy who is also in charge of embankment construction called on the subcontract companies to accelerate the construction of Mekong embankment stretching 14 km long with a desired 14 m height from Thatthong village, Sikhottabong district to Phanmanh village, Sisattanark district. A 33 km-long construction of embankment running from Phanmanh village to the sluice gate in Houay Deua must be 13.50 m height. The height will be prevented the inundation, advised Dr Khamphath. The Irrigation Department has been advised to improve and install more water pumps to get rid of water from That Lung swamp and six sluice gates will be also repaired.