Flash Flooding - Attapeu, Southern Laos
the adventure
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"...the waters swept through suddenly and rapidly..."
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I’d always hoped to visit the land-locked nation of Laos. Stories and images of its rustic villages, lush landscapes and tribal groups had intrigued me for a long time. But, I didn’t quite expect my first introduction to Laos was to be via a disaster
On 24 July 2018, a devastating flash-flood occurred in Attapeu Province, Southern Laos. A side section of a nearly-completed hydro-electric dam collapsed during the heavy monsoon rainy season. Although dam cracks were detected earlier on, no early warning, preparations or evacuation instructions were issued. That night, more than five billion cubic metres, or more than two million Olympic-sized swimming pools of water, was suddenly discharged on an unsuspecting rural populace
In all, more than 13,000 Lao villagers were impacted. As the flood waters swept rapidly south at around eight at night, many were simply unprepared for the onslaught. For most, it was a terrifying and shocking experience. The flood waters rose rapidly to cover their homes and drown their animals; the fast-flowing currents swept away loved ones and friends into the darkness. Many only had time to grab a mobile phone and perhaps a bottle of water, before scrambling to seek refuge on rooftops, a tree, or an electric pole
Duen, a middle-aged mother, managed to escape to the rooftop of her house with her husband and young daughter. For the next eight hours, the wet and cold family huddled together in pitch darkness, wondering if they would perish, and if help would ever arrive. They watched helplessly as their neighbours, houses, tractors and animals swept past them. Several times, the powerful flood currents also threatened to dislodge their own house. Miraculously, the structure held, but just barely
As Duen and several others recounted their experiences to me, I felt so very sorry for them. My heart was broken over and over for them. They didn’t deserve any of these, but yet….Overnight, they suddenly lost everything and became internally displaced persons. Such is life, sadly
There was much uncertainty about their future: how long would they need to stay in the IDP camps? Where would they be re-located to? What livelihoods would they be able to undertake? These questions, like a hundred others, did not have easy answers. It was so hard to be hopeful. Yet, I think many of the displaced Lao somehow accepted that getting knocked down in life is part of life. In our many conversations together, I was heartened to hear many of them expressing a desire to get up and get moving. Yes, in this difficult season of life, let us stand with you, hope alongside you, and cheer you on….
