The Xong River overflowed last week, inundating residential areas and farmland in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province. --Photo Lao News Agency

Heavy rain, flash floods, landslides forecast through July 31

Authorities have issued warnings of further heavy rainfall, which is likely to cause more flash floods, river flooding, and landslides, with these conditions expected to prevail from July 27 to 31.

People living along the Mekong River in the northern province of Luang Prabang, and its tributaries in the central provinces of Khammuan and Savannakhet, are urged to stay vigilant as persistent downpours could cause flash floods and river overflows.

On Sunday, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology warned that heavy to very heavy rain and occasional strong winds are forecast in some areas of all regions.

Most parts of the country are also likely to experience thunderstorms during this period.

With yet more heavy rain expected, water levels measured at hydrology stations along the Mekong and some of its tributaries are projected to rise and approach alert thresholds over the next one to three days.

In Luang Prabang, the level of the Mekong is expected to be near the flood warning level  of 17.5 metres. As of 7am on Sunday, the level at the Luang Prabang station was measured at 15.56 metres.

At the Khuaxe station in Khammuan, the Xebangfai River—a Mekong tributary—was measured at 18.8 metres on Sunday morning, approaching the 19-metre alert threshold and the 20-metre flood level.

Downstream in Savannakhet, people living alongside the Xechamphone River face a heightened flood risk after the water level at the Kaengkok hydrology station reached 7.68 metres, surpassing the 7.5 metre flood warning level and nearing the 8 metre flood mark.

This latest warning follows recent flooding of the Mekong River, which has breached its banks in several places, inundating residential areas and farmland in Vientiane. Numerous families have suffered crop losses and property damage.

by Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 28, 2025)