City to spend 20 billion kip on flood prevention

Vientiane authorities plan to spend 20 billion kip to tackle the problem of flooding in the rainy season, which is caused by blocked drainage channels.
The money will be used to resolve flooding issues in both the immediate and long term, with various responsibilities for the work to be allocated to different government agencies.
Under the plan, drainage channels will be cleared, repaired and enlarged. Plants and debris will be removed to clear blockages and prevent water levels rising during heavy rain.
Director of the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department, Mr Soulivan Phommahaxay, said the department is partnering with the Vientiane City Office for Management and Services and officials from the capital’s nine districts to deal with the perennial problem of flooding.

This road is one of many in Vientiane that flooded after heavy rain last week.

The two agencies recently met to discuss the issue, putting forward several measures aimed at resolving flooding for rollout immediately and to prevent flooding in the future.
The Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department is expected to spend at least 2 billion kip on immediate flooding solutions and at least 16 billion kip on long-term solutions.
In addition, the Vientiane City Office for Management and Services plans to spend 1.5 billion on flood prevention, making a total budget of almost 20 billion kip.
However, this is only an initial estimate because some of the work planned may not be able to be carried out in the rainy season, Mr Soulivan said.
Authorities will provide more details when work gets underway.
Several areas of Vientiane were flooded recently when drainage systems failed to cope with heavy rainfall. Sikhottabong district was one of the worst hit areas.
The Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department teamed up with local officials to inspect and clear waterways most susceptible to flooding in Sikhay and Nongneiw villages, and the Lao Oxy market.
Last week, cleaning crews used an earth mover to remove plants and garbage from waterways in Hongseng and Hongkaikeo villages and alongside the P3 Road in Chanthabouly district.
In some areas, drainage channels become blocked when construction crews fill them with compacted soil, so water is unable to drain off as it should, Mr Soulivan said.
In the future, the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department, the Vientiane City Office for Management and Services and the city’s nine districts will share the responsibility for flood prevention in the capital.
The Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department will work with related departments to recheck drainage channels and be ready to respond to rises in the level of the Mekong.
The Department will also reassess the causes of flooding in several locations in order to devise more effective flood prevention plans.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 24, 2022)