The methodologies developed in the Lao PDR could provide significant potential for broader application in other drought- and flood-prone regions in Asia and the Pacific.

(KPL) The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly organized the launching of the Drought and Flood Trigger Methodology for Anticipatory Action in the Lao PDR.

The event was conducted under the project 'Increasing Capacities and Scale for Anticipatory Action Including through Social Protection Systems' (also called ECHO Pilot Programmatic Partnership, or ECHO-PPP), and implemented by FAO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).

The event was well attended by a diverse range of partners and stakeholders, including the government of the Lao PDR, UN agencies, NGOs/INGOs and CSOs.

The ceremony is intended to officially launch the pilot application of the Drought and Flood Trigger Methodologies for Anticipatory Action, which is the first-ever in the Lao PDR to utilize modern technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), to monitor and anticipate potential disasters, with a particular emphasis on drought that may occur in advance and impact the agricultural sector.

During the event, Mr. Viengxai Manivong, Deputy Director General of the Meteorology and Hydrology Department as the chair acknowledged that “The current weather conditions are undergoing a rapid change, causing the most complications and challenges in weather forecasting. Consequently, it is imperative that we prioritize the development of new and modern mechanisms, systems, techniques, and methods to guarantee the accuracy, clarity, and reliability of information services providing to at-risk communities.” 

Ms. Kyung-Mee Kim, FAO Representative to the Lao PDR, as the co-chair of the event, highlighted that “through the PPP project, we have been working closely with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to establish this innovative trigger system, and it is crucial to recognize that we are only at the beginning of this process. The successful implementation of these methodologies and systems will depend on further testing, community engagement, and addressing any identified gaps. This proactive approach is a significant advancement in disaster risk management to enhance effectiveness and to safeguard lives and livelihoods of the Lao people”.

Alongside with this launching, FAO and DMH are planning to publish a technical working paper: “Application of artificial intelligence in anticipatory action: Drought and flood case study in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, aiming at sharing this”. The paper explores the use of machine learning in anticipatory action, particularly in developing triggering methodologies for agricultural drought and flood risks. It details how these machine learning-based systems were developed and tested.

With the system in place, DMH has successfully tested and used the drought methodology in Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Oudomxay provinces and undertaken anticipatory action interventions to help communities prevent negative impact on the agricultural sector. For floods, DMH will continue to monitor and test the methodology for Savannakhet Province and activate in case the trigger is reached. The development and testing of the systems is a lengthy process and requires financial assistance to improve early warning systems.

KPL