Floods Kill At Least 14 in Southern Laos, Hundreds of Thousands Displaced

At least 14 people have died and at least one is missing as floods ravage Laos’ six southern provinces, stretching government relief capacity, authorities and residents said Wednesday.

Tropical storm Podul and tropical depression Kajiki slammed into the area one after the other last week, dumping and estimated 40 centimeters of rain in parts of southern Laos.

Flooding has affected the lives of 572,000 people and caused considerable damage to buildings and farmland, according to estimates by the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance.

Hundreds of schools have been closed as 102,000 people have been displaced and 150,000 hectares of farmland have been lost. Many roads are inaccessible and at least 37 houses have been damaged as well.

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