(KPL) The National Disaster Management Committee convened a meeting on Oct 6 to discuss measures to address the impacts of flooding caused by tropical storms Wutip, Vipha, and Bualoy, and to review preparedness efforts for the approaching Matmo storm.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, and attended by Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Phoxay Xayasone, Standing Vice Chairman of the Committee, along with representatives from relevant ministries and agencies.

Tropical Storm Bualoy, which swept across the Lao PDR from Sep 29 to Oct 4, brought heavy rainfall and widespread flooding to 10 provinces—Xayaboury, Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Borikhamxay, Xaysomboun, Vientiane Province, Vientiane Capital, Savannakhet, Champassak, and Attapeu.

The flooding affected 34 districts, 131 villages, and 3,118 families, resulting in four deaths—in Borikhamxay, Xaysomboun, Savannakhet, and Huaphan—and four people missing (two in Xieng Khuang, and one each in Huaphan and Vientiane).

A representative from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that all hydropower dams across the country currently remain safe and stable. The ministry has strengthened inspection and water management measures and developed contingency plans to cope with potential future storms.

Deputy Prime Minister Chansamone urged all relevant sectors to continue focusing on rescue and relief operations for flood-affected communities and to restore damaged infrastructure, particularly bridges and transport routes, as quickly as possible.

He also highlighted the need to closely monitor weather conditions and enhance early warning systems to ensure timely dissemination of information to people in high-risk areas, enabling better disaster preparedness and response.

The Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to remain ready to mobilize personnel, vehicles, and equipment to assist affected communities promptly in the event of emergencies or future disasters.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, as the Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Committee, was tasked with identifying both immediate relief and long-term recovery needs for submission to the government for further direction.

He also called for closer coordination between central and provincial disaster management committees to collect data on disaster impacts and recovery requirements and to strengthen overall preparedness for disaster prevention and response.

KPL