Lao and South Korean officials co-chair a meeting on water resources management and disaster response in the Nam Ngum River Basin.

S. Korea-backed project strengthens Laos’ flood preparedness

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has completed a six-year project to improve water resources management and disaster response in the Nam Ngum River Basin, establishing monitoring networks and digital systems to support flood preparedness and safer dam operations.
The achievements were reviewed at the final Project Steering Committee meeting held at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane on October 22, attended by Lao government officials, South Korean representatives and partner institutions.

Participants pose for a group photo at the meeting in Vientiane on October 22.

The meeting formed part of the Project on Establishment of Effective Water Resources Management System and Enhancement of Disaster Response Capabilities for the Nam Ngum River Basin, implemented from 2020 to 2026 with a budget of  US$11 million.
Opening the meeting, KOICA Laos Office Country Director Oh Sungsoo thanked the Lao government and partner institutions for their cooperation.
He highlighted two major achievements: strengthening hydrometeorological observation, flood forecasting and early warning systems, and establishing a basin-level coordination mechanism to improve cooperation among government agencies.
The meeting also featured presentations on project achievements by project manager Dr Jang Cheol-hee of KOICA PMC (KICT), a demonstration of the hydrometeorological observation and disaster response system by project manager Dr Kim Chang-wan of KOICA PC (JBT), and discussions on future operation plans presented by representatives of the Department of Energy and Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
The project established control rooms at the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Department of Energy under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
These facilities are designed to improve the collection, analysis and management of hydrological and hydropower information, supporting better-informed decisions on flood response and dam operations.
In the afternoon, a joint opening ceremony was held for the two control rooms, featuring live demonstrations of the newly established systems and their capabilities for real-time monitoring, flood forecasting and disaster response.
The monitoring network includes 28 rainfall monitoring stations, 20 water-level monitoring stations, 10 closed-circuit television installations and 10 flood warning posts.
The project also developed digital systems for water management, flood forecasting and disaster response, alongside flood hazard maps and Emergency Action Plans.
Beyond infrastructure development, the project supported training programmes, simulation exercises and flood evacuation drills to strengthen the ability of government officials, technical personnel and local communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The Nam Ngum River Basin covers approximately 17,000 square kilometres and supports agriculture, local livelihoods and hydropower generation.
However, heavy seasonal rainfall and fluctuations in river flows expose downstream communities to recurring flood risks.
Mr Oh stressed that sustaining the project’s achievements would depend on proper operation and maintenance, continuous training of technical personnel, and close cooperation among relevant institutions.
He called on the Lao government to take ownership of the systems and build on the experience gained to strengthen national water management capacity.
The Nam Ngum River Basin Coordination Working Group established under the project provides a platform for central and local authorities and other stakeholders to share information and coordinate solutions to common water management challenges.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Lee Jeong-hyop, said the disaster response system established with KOICA’s support would serve as a lifeline for local communities, expressing hope that the project would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness.
The meeting also included a signing ceremony involving KOICA and representatives of the relevant Lao ministries, with the Ambassador attending as a witness.
The programme concluded with closing remarks delivered by the Director General of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Mr Virasack Chundara, and Mr Lee Jeong-hyop.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update October 27, 2026)