People flee from flooded areas after the collapse of the hydropower dam in Laos' Attapeu province (Photo: KPL/VNA)Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao Government has decided to halt the implementation ofall hydropower projects on which Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and ProjectDevelopment Assistance (PDA) contracts were already signed for furtherassessment and revision.
The informationwas unveiled by Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath at a pressconference hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 7 to update onthe flooding and recovery progress following the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoihydroelectricity dam in Attapeu province.
The pressconference was also attended by leaders of the Ministry of Energy and Mines,Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Previously, theLao Prime Minister’s Office announced that the vicinity of the Sepien-Senamnoihydropower dam project is a temporarily prohibited area, and no organisationsor individuals are allowed to enter this area without permissions from the governmentor local administration.
The announcementalso said that Attapeu and neighbouring Champasak province are responsible formonitoring, examining and temporarily prohibiting all activities until theinvestigation and settlement of the dam collapse finish.
At about 8pm ofJuly 23, the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam burst, flooding 10 villages indownstream areas and completely isolating Sanamxay district, where it islocated. The collapse has affected more than 1,300 families with 6,600 peopleand made many others missing.
The LaoGovernment is coordinating with domestic and foreign working groups to addressthe aftermath and support affected residents.–VNA
