Lao PDR, Tropical Storm PODUL and Tropical Depression KAJIKI

On 29 August and 02 September 2019, at 16:00 (UTC+7), the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Lao PDR reported potential affected areas in the central and southern part of Lao PDR due to the existence of a Low Pressure Area (LPA), Tropical Storm PODUL, and Tropical depression KAJIKI. Subsequently, thunderstorm advisories and heavy rainfall warnings were issued for the provinces Khammouan, Savanhnakhet, Champasack, Saravane, Sekong, and Attapue. Today, at 09:00 (UTC+7), the center of Tropical Depression Kajiki was estimated to be in the coastal area of Viet Nam; and according to Lao PDR’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will be experienced over Central and Southern provinces due to the weather disturbance. Currently, flood has been reported in six (6) provinces namely Khmmouan, Savannakhet, Champasack, Saravane, Sekong, and Attapue provinces. Provincial Disaster Prevention and Control Committee has call for emergency meeting and planning for response, especially to deploy rescue boat in collaboration with the army and police for evacuation. According to Lao PDR’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO Lao PDR), emergency relief items has been distributed to the affected population. According to the Social Welfare Department of Lao PDR, emergency response teams from the military, police, and health sectors, equipped with trucks, boats, vehicles, helicopters, tools, and other equipment, have been deployed to the affected provinces for emergency response. National Government leaders of Lao PDR visited the affected areas to assess the status of the affected population, and to lead in the ongoing emergency response. The officials also provided consolation to the victims and support to the responders. Provincial and District-level Disaster Management and Control Committee and local authorities are also taking action in the emergency response and relief operations. Food and non-food items have been mobilised by the Government for distribution to the affected population. To date, flood waters have not yet receded in several affected areas. Moreover, rainfall forecast shows certainty that rain will continue in the affected areas for the next few days. The AHA Centre is currently acting on the request for assistance from Lao PDR in support of the emergency response and relief operations. The National Disaster Management Organisation of Lao PDR, through the National Focal Point, requested for the following relief items in the Disaster Emergency Logistics System of ASEAN (DELSA): 1,000 Family kits 3,500 Personal Hygiene kit 1,000 Kitchen kit 1,400 Mosquito net 1,400 Jerry cans (10L)