(KPL/VNA) The Central Committee for Natural Disaster Management of Laos on July 21 issued an urgent dispatch to all localities and sectors across the country, calling for proactive measures to respond to Typhoon Wipha, which is forecast to affect multiple provinces in Laos from July 21 to 23 with widespread heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong gusts of wind.

According to the Lao Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Typhoon Wipha is expected to pass over China’s Hainan Island, weaken into a tropical depression, and continue moving into northern Vietnam before directly impacting various regions in Laos.

Provinces at risk of heavy rain and strong winds include Phongsaly, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Xayabouly, the capital city of Vientiane, Xaysomboun, Vientiane province, Bolikhamxay, Khammuane, and Savannakhet.

Amid the storm’s complex developments, the committee urged all agencies, local authorities, and relevant forces to strictly implement measures including issuing early warnings, raising public awareness, identifying safe evacuation areas, and relocating valuable property and livestock to secure locations.

They are urged to closely follow weather updates from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology via television, radio, and other media channels, maintain regular contact with the committee’s Secretariat, and establish monitoring teams for river and reservoir water levels.

Localities are also required to prepare for possible flash floods, landslides, inundation, and strong winds.

The committee called on armed forces, youth forces and mass organisations from central to local levels to stay on high alert and ready to support search and rescue operations.

KPL