EDL restores electricity in flooded areas

Electricite Du Laos (EDL) technicians are reinstalling fallen electricity poles as fast as possible in areas affected by flooding and landslides.
The Disaster Management Committee reported that torrential rain from July 28 to August 6 caused flooding, landslides and road subsidence, as well as bringing down electricity poles in many places, leading to power outages.

Technicians reinstall a collapsed electricity pole after it was brought down by a landslide. --Photo EDL

Severe weather has affected people’s lives and cut transmission on 22kV and 0.4kV power lines.
A transformer was struck by lightning while electricity poles and power lines were damaged, causing widespread disruption in provinces across the country.
EDL staff are working to restore power as quickly as possible, so that households and businesses again have electricity and can return to life as normal.
Heavy rain occurred in Savannakhet and Khammuan provinces on August 2-3, causing rivers to rise rapidly and overflow their banks.
Houses, farmland and livestock in 100 villages in Savannakhet province and 30 villages in Khammuan province have been affected by flooding.
Electricity distribution equipment has been damaged and in some places power supplies are intermittent or unavailable for long periods of time, especially in ​​Khounkham district.
EDL has warned people not to touch fallen power poles or cables and to keep way from trees that have fallen on power lines, as well as any batteries or other electrical equipment. Instead, members of the public are requested to call hotline number 1199 immediately.
Many roads across the country, including national highways, have also been cut off or affected by landslides triggered by heavy rain over several days.
The authorities are now clearing landslides that have blocked roads, so that normal traffic flow can be restored.
Many of the roads hit by landslides are located in the north, where much of the terrain is mountainous.
Several large landslides occurred along National Highway No. 8, which runs between Khounkham district in Khammuan province and Borikhamxay province, on August 4.
Local authorities are working to locate and assist people trapped near Phouhai mountain, where four landslips pushed 110 vehicles into ravines.
The vehicles included 95 trucks, 13 pick-up trucks, a bus, and a motorcycle.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 9, 2023)