Many rice fields flooded in southern Laos
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Over 6,000 hectares of young rice shoots recently planted in fields in Champassak province have been flooded for a few days after the heavy rain on Friday last week and are likely to die if the rain doesn't stop for a while.
About 20 per cent of the newly planted rice in low-lying areas is believed to have already died.
Champassak has ten districts, but only two of them, Pakxong and Bachiangchaleunsouk, have escaped the flooding as they are on higher ground.
According to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department, the rain will continue to fall every day this week. So the likelihood is that thousands of rice plants will die in the next four days.
“We are a little happier this morning as there is no rain but we are seeing a lot of clouds in the sky,” director of the provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department Soupany Siribounyo said.
The Mekong River level on Sunday in Champassak province had risen to 11.66 metres.
With no rain on Monday morning the river receded a little to 11.45 metres.
