Bodies found in search for Luang Prabang flood victims

The bodies of four people have been found in a river after they were reported missing following a recent flash flood in Kiewtaloun village, Xiengngeun district, Luang Prabang province.
The flash flood occurred on April 24, when three people were found dead and four others were reported missing.
The following day, local authorities began a search for the missing people and found four bodies 2 kilometres from the huts where their two families lived by the river, according to the village chief.
The number of flood victims has now increased from three to seven (six of whom are women) and authorities are making funeral arrangements.
The flood occurred when a tropical storm passed over the province, bringing heavy rain, hail and strong wind.
Kiewtaloun was battered by torrential rain and strong wind for almost two hours and the resulting flash flood washed away the riverside huts in which the two families lived.
There were 11 people in the two families but the four others were reported to be safe.
The storm followed an alert on the same day from the Meteorology and Hydrology Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which warned of storms from April 24-26.
The Deputy Governor of Luang Prabang province, Mr Vongsavanh Thepphachan, together with the Director of the province’s Labour and Social Welfare Department, Mr Soulisack Phommaly, and local authorities recently visited the two families and gave them cash and food worth 11 million kip.
Laos’ northern and central provinces along with the capital are expecting more rain and thunderstorms until today (May 4), as noted in the seven-day forecast posted by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department for April 28-May 4.
From May 2-4, the northern provinces of Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Huaphan and Xieng Khuang will be partly cloudy and can expect light rain. The city of Luang Prabang and Xayaboury province will have heavy clouds and light rain.
The central provinces of Vientiane, Borikhamxay, Khammuan, Savannakhet and the capital will have thunderstorms and some rain, which will spread to the southern provinces of Champassak, Saravan, Attapeu and Xekong.
People have been advised to keep a close eye on weather conditions and monitor national and local news stations for updates.
The department has advised everyone to be prepared for weather changes with the advent of the hot season, and to take precautions to protect children and elderly people.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update May 4, 2020)