(KPL) Authorities in Vientiane are continuing recovery efforts after a powerful hailstorm damaged thousands of homes and disrupted essential services across the capital last month.

The storm, which struck on March 22, affected 7,888 households in two districts, according to officials. The hardest-hit areas were Sikhottabong District and Nasaythong District, where strong winds, heavy rain, and large hailstones caused widespread damage to homes and property.

Sarapith Souvoravong, Director of the Vientiane Department of Labor and Social Welfare and a senior member of the city’s disaster management committee, said authorities quickly launched an emergency response plan following the storm.

The plan focused on restoring critical services, including electricity, internet, and water supply, while also providing food, drinking water, and essential household items to affected families. Cleanup efforts included removing debris such as damaged roofing materials, with support from the military, police, and youth organizations.

Officials reported that damage was recorded in 18 villages, including 10 villages in Sikhottabong district, where 6,386 households were affected, and 8 villages in Nasaythong district, where 1,502 households were impacted.

As of April 8, recovery efforts have made significant progress. In Sikhottabong district, more than 5,200 homes have been repaired, over 1,000 are still under repair, and fewer than 100 have yet to be fixed. Repairs are also ongoing at schools, temples, a health center, and a military facility where dozens of buildings were damaged.

In Nasaythong district, officials said all affected homes have now been fully repaired.

Authorities said more than 14 billion kip, or roughly several hundred thousand U.S. dollars, has been mobilized from government funds and public contributions. About 4 billion kip has already been distributed for emergency assistance and direct support to affected families, with the remaining funds set aside for continued recovery efforts.

Officials say assistance will continue until all affected households have fully recovered from the storm’s impact.

KPL