I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background:
Lao PDR is a landlocked country, which located in the Southeast Asia. The Country
covers an area of 236,800 square km2 and has bordered with China, Myanmar, Thailand
Vietnam and Cambodia. Lao PDR is also lying along middle part of the Mekong, whichis the 12th longest river in the world. It flows through Lao territory almost 1,860 km.
Climate is governed by Southeast monsoon in the period of May to the end of October.
Some years Laos is affected from Typhoon, which is formed in the Pacific Ocean andmove through South China Sea to the middle of Vietnam and hit to Luang Mountain andthen move to the North of Lao. Lao PDR territory approximately 70% comprises ofmountains and plateaus. 35% of water flow contributes of the whole Lower Mekong
Basin runoff.
Flood in Lao PDR is occurred year by year and depends on the natural phenomena.
Usually, in late of May to the end of October, the Southwest monsoon comes from India
through Myanmar to the Northern Lao and resulted long lasting and heavy rain. Otherway is affect from Typhoon, which comes from Pacific Ocean through South China Sea
to the middle part of Vietnam and Laos, this resulted also long lasting and heavy rain.
Now the flood cycle is very short and effected to large area of the territory of Laos.
Therefore, we should be found the reason to protect the flood in Laos.

1.2 Flood Policy
1.2.1 Administrative framework.
The flood management and mitigation in Lao PDR at the time being is under thesupervision of the Prime Minister’s Office, which comprises of different line Ministry
and agency concerned such as: Ministry of Labor and Social welfare, Ministry ofAgriculture and forestry, Ministry of Industry and Handicraft, and Ministry ofCommunication Transport Post and Construction.

1.2.2 Government Policy
To reduce disaster risks and contribute to poverty eradication, the Government set
to achieve the following targets by 2005-2010-2020:
The aims to 2020 are:• Making Lao society safer and minimizing the impact of disaster to people life,
country economy, government’s and population property.

• To timely assist to the victims of disaster helping they mitigate disaster impact andquick return to normalcy.

• Building completed legal system on disaster management and prevention of disaster
impact to individual, community, society and country economy.

•

Making disaster management concept and environmental protection as unique todevelopment and becoming cultural perception of society.

Page 1 of 10

The Goals to 2010 are:• Establishment of DDMC at all districts.
• Establish DM focal points and contact persons in all major government agencies,
units, privates, factories and other.

• Develop early warning information receiving points at risky to disaster villages.
• Establish storages at provinces and some vulnerable to disaster districts.
• Continue sustainable public awareness and education programs through media.
• Expand DM training in all sectors at various levels.
• Organizing drills and simulation exercises with participation of emergency rescue
teams of sectors and population.

• Enhance capability on cooperation with ASEAN, region and international on
exchanging of expertise, information on DM and joint implementing projects,
simulation exercises and relief drills.
The Goals 2005 are:• Establish DDMC with created their role and responsibility at 80% of total districts
through out country.

• Establish DM focal points and contact persons as appropriate at :- 10% of total primary school- 20% of junior secondary school- 30% of upper secondary school- 50% of professional school- 80% of military division- 40% of factory.

• Develop DM regulation and code.
Enhance and establish information dissemination system and receiving at 30% of
total 142 districts in country. Establish information dissemination at 30% of
vulnerable village. Annually organize 4 DM training courses for government officials
and privates at provincial and district levels and 4 other courses for village leaders.

• Establish rescue and relief teams at VTE MUN, provinces base on manpower ofmilitary, police, schools and Lao Red Cross volunteer.

• Develop hazards and risk map of Lao PDR.
• Establish DM information exchange centre at the NDMO and urban disaster
information at the Urban Research Institute (URI ).

• Organize 2 rescue drills or simulation exercises on annual basic• Integrating DM concept into other projects of urban and rural development withfocused on flood, drought, fire, land management, bank erosion, water management,
protection of environment, forest and other natural resources. NDMO is a center focal
point on implementation.
Page 2 of 10

II. THE ROLES OF FLOOD HAZARD MAPS TO MITIGATINGFLOOD DAMAGE IN LAO PDR
The population pressure in the Lao PDR has not yet reached the alarming levels of manyother countries. However, the population in the my country is growing rapidly at 2,2 %per annum. It will increase from 5, 7 million at present to amount 9 million in 2020. This
will certainly have negative impacts on the availability of clean water and other resources.
Urbanization and construction of infrastructure also contribute to an increase in flood
risks in the unprotected parts of the river. The wetlands and floods have also proven to bea challenge to the country as annual floods are a natural phenomenon in the region. They
are important for replenishing soil fertility and also cause deaths by flash flood and landslide, damage to crops and property. It is not only global and climatic factors that are
influencing the flood patterns but also human activities.

2.1 The Flood Status in Lao PDR:
Lao PDR was seriously flooded in 1966, 1995, 2001 and 2002. In the year 2002, flood
was very heavy rained and affected to the territory in Laos. As a result of an effect ofstrong Southeast Monsoon and from Wongfong-14 storm, water level at Mekong Riverand its tributaries dramatically increases and flood occurs at all regions in the country.
This year had flooding in the northern provinces of Laos, as LouangNamtha, Phongsaly,
Borikhamxay and was flooded in large the all territory of Laos, as Bokeo,
LouangPhabang, Vientiane Municipality, Borikhamxay, Khammoune, Savannaketh,
Saravanh, Champasack and Attapeu. As in this year, flood affected 12 Provinces, 62
Districts, 1,142 villages and 50,342 families (249,782 people); where 8,556 household
damages and 3 persons died.
The flood of the year 2002 occupied many places, particularly along the Mekong Riverand its tributaries as such (see table):
1. Vientiane Province, here are five districts affected (1). Hom District is locatedupstream of Nam Ngum reservoir, in which 1 village and 12 families’ equal
122 people were suffered. (2) Mad District is flash flood, 2 villages, 16families equal 94. (3) Thoulakhom District is located downstream of Nam
Ngum reservoir, in which 43 families. (4) Sanakham District is located along
the Mekong River, in 1 village, 44 families. (5). Kasi District is located along
Nam Niap, here 3 villages and 68 families equal 587 people were suffered.
2. Luangnamtha Province, in this Province is 1 District affected Viengphoukha
in which 16 village and 447 family equal 2,974 people were suffered fromdeluge.
3. Khammouane Province, there are 4 districts affected (1). Ngommalath here 27
villages and 624 families’ equal to 3,353 people suffered. (2). Mahaxay here
42 villages and 859 families’ equal to 4,507 people suffered. (3) Hinboune
was 60 villages and 6,207 families equal 31,171 people suffered. (4) Thakhek
District here 51 villages, 860 families (4,558 people).
4. Oudomxay Province, two Districts affected (1). Houne here are 18 villages
and 646 families equal to 3,915 people were suffered. (2). Bang here are 19
villages and 301 family equal to 1,622 people was suffered, in which 01 wasdied by land slide.

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5. Borikhamxay Province, in this Province was 5 Districts affected (1) Paksan,
here are 15 villages, 706 families (3,175 people suffered). (2) Thaphabath,here are 21 villages, 1,875 villages (8,438 people). (3) Pakkading, 36 villages,
1,801 families (9,198 people). (4) Khamkeuth, 45 villages, 4,812 families(32,013 people), in which 02 persons were died by flash flood and (5)Borikhan, 15 villages, 642 families (3,207 people).
6. Savannakhet Province in this Province was affected more than others there are
7 Districts, (1). Champhone here are 33 villages and 5,418 families equal to17,184 people suffered, in which 3,437 families are lost. (2). Song Khone: 24
villages and 1,588 families equal to 7,941 people suffered, in which 1,375
families are lost. (3). Sonbouly: 18 villages and 2,167 families equal to 10,837
people suffered, in which 800 families are loss. (4). Saybouly: 16 villages and1,678 families equal to 4,742 people suffered, in which 948 families are lost.
(5). Vilabouly: 17 villages and 580 families equal to 2,900 people suffered, inwhich 518 families are lost. (6). Sayphouthong: 4 villages and 177 families
equal to 884 people suffered, in which 330 families are lost. (7).
Khanthabouly: 8 villages and 369 families equal to 1,845 people suffered, inwhich 98 families are lost.
7. Vientiane Municipality in our capital City are affected 9 Districts such as
Pakngum, Saysettha, Saythany, Nasaythong, Sisattanak, Sangthong,Chanthabouly, Hadsayfong, and Sikhottabong
8. Xiangkhuang Province in this Province is affected 3 Districts: Phoukout 3
villages, Kham 6 villages and Pek 18 villages, 176 families (556 people
suffered).
Due to the above mentioned, I hope that flood hazard mapping will be effective to help
the farmers, local communities, local government and others agencies toreduce/mitigate/minimize all loses before and during flooding (human, animals, crops) .
The causes of excessive flooding in Laos were a combination of natural andhuman factors. These factors include early start of rains with fast surface run-off,increasing sedimentation of the riverbeds, tidal effects, and blocking of natural
flood plains. However, more investigations in these causes are needed.
The existing flood-forecasting system; MRC provides a five-day flood forecast
from mid-June to mid-October every year for 18 stations of water level locatedalong the Mekong River from up stream to down stream and daily data from 37hydrological and 22 rainfall stations.

2.2 The Outline of Present Countermeasure for mitigating Flood
Damage in Lao PDR
Based on the policy of Government 2005 to 2020 is very clear how the ministry
and line agency concerned to establish them plan as follow:
o Ministry of Communication Transport Post and Construction will
responsible for structure and non structure measure in the City, Urban, andTown
o Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will responsible for reducing theslash and burn forestry, reforestation, watershed management, irrigation
system and provide data of hydrology and meteorology to all ministries

Page 4 of 10

and line agencies concerned including flood forecast, rainfall forecast andwater level forecast on the TV, radio and newspaper. Especially, prepare
the second agriculture crop to the farmers and communities after flooding.
o Ministry of Industry and Handicraft is responsible for flood control down
stream of dams.
o National Disaster Management Office under Ministry of Labor, Social andWelfare, consider, prepare and ask donor for relief and flood respond. In
some case they will responsible for non structure measure such as flood
preparedness in the province, district and communities in inundation areas,
produced guide book for elementary school and others (see the policy
2005, page 2).
o Prime Ministry’s Office responsible for the hold system of flood
responsibility.
Flood Early-Warning Systems in the Mekong River is necessary; this activity isimplemented by the Mekong River Commission (MRC), an inter-governmental
river basin organization based in Vientiane, Laos. The governments of Cambodia,
Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam participate in the USAID/OFDA-funded activities
that increase flood forecasting capacity and early-warning information transfer tocommunities in the Lower Mekong River Basin. The project will strengthen flood
warnings by making communities more responsive to the needs of at-risk
populations in Cambodia and Laos, and will develop tools, methods, andprotocols with community-based partners to enable flood-vulnerable populations
to effectively utilize MRC flood information.
Hand drawing map is also help people how to evacuate to the high land or safety
place by them selves. In pilot study area in Champasack District has damaged byflood two to four weeks (on paddy field), but in the villages only one week anddepth of inundation area about 50cm to 80 cm. Some of residents move to highland and some stay at home. If these villages have flood hazard mapping, I thinkthat very helpful and useful for them. The government should dissemination with
explanation how to use the FHM for reducing, minimizing and mitigation theiragriculture crops and save them live.

2.3 Do you Think Flood Hazard Maps will be useful in Lao PDR
For the short term (1 year) I can not give you comment, because we are lack ofbudget and resources.
For long term, Yes, because:o All curriculum designed for this course were impressive and useful for me,some of them have provided very successful and useful contribution andinformation in term of materials, process, concept, theory, and practicaluse in some cases. However, the most impressive to me is lecture andexercise in the class, and of cause the group field survey for making thehazard maps ISE City with group presentation on the Town Watching.
o The field survey is more importance for me and other participants, because
I can see the real situation of flood place with comparing theory that I
have studied in class.

Page 5 of 10

o Flood management in Japan is very importance for expertise. The
significance of hydrological statistics, flood inundation analysis,
calculation of residents evacuation, runoff flood analysis and anticipationof inundation area are key functional of flood hazard map drawing andestablishment.

III.

THE ALLOCATION OF ROLES IN MAKING FLOOD
HAZARD MAPS IN LAO PDR
3.1 Which organization should hold the main responsibility formaking a fundamental map such as anticipated inundation area
map?
Based on the “Water and Water Resources Law” I think that is not so clear
because it didn’t write any sentence about which organization should be hold themain responsibility for the making a fundamental map and flood hazard maps also.
But told that the topography map is under Department of Topography
responsibility. The organization concerned had showed the above (item 2.2).
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) did the flood maps for hold the MekongRiver Basin. But is not yet completed for each member country. For my idea I
think that in the next near future the Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC)
Organization will responsible for this part. Because we have just established the
GIS Unit in my organization and is on going to revise the organization mandate
for the next five year strategy plan (2005-2010), and other hand LNMC hascrossly coordinate with the MRC.

3.2 Which organization should hold the main responsibility formaking and disseminating flood hazard maps?
As the above mentioned the Lao National Mekong Committee should hold themain responsibility for making and disseminating flood hazard mapping in Laoswith considering establish a team making the flood hazard maps. The team should
be consisted from line ministries and line agencies concerned. Because, I thinkthat LNMC has strong enough to lead making in this issue.
Other site the Mekong River Commission will support and provide some tools to
LNMC to do the Flood Management and Mitigation Program together withmember riparian country.

IV.

The ACTION PLAN OF MAKING FLOOD HAZARD MAPS IN
LAO PDR
4.1 Which area do you choose for the target river basin area andwhy?
This point is very difficult to give you idea which area that I will choose for target
river basin area. But in my mine I will continue to finish pilot study in threevillages, Champasack District area that I do right now for two years pilot study. In
this area we have some data information from National Disaster Management
Office and flood maps from Mekong River Commission, but the budget forPage 6 of 10

implementation this issue is limited because the objectives of pilot study is notincluding making flood hazard mapping. However, I will try my first best to draw
the flood map by hand and put some mark in the map such as way evacuation,
how many residents will evacuation and depth inundation area, etc.
Second priority I will follow up with the government plan (Bolikhanh District,
about 200 km from Vientiane Capital City) and will set up my action plan for year
2006 after go back home. I choose this area because is not so far from central
government, that district affect by flood and flash flood every year. But it seems
to me with lack of data and no budget for doing site survey. I need take more timeand other conditions with appropriated consideration, and should be needed
approving from LNMC Chairman.

4.2 Propose own “ Action Plan” within the next five years
item
1
2
3

4
5
6

Description
Continue pilot study
Setting up FHM into GIS Unit
Data Collection:- Hydrology, meteorology- Topography, drainage- Dike condition- others
Identify inundation area
Capacity building strengthening
For technical staff
Fund seeking:- FHM producing- Dissemination & use of map- Monitoring & updating map

4.3

2006

2007

2008

2009

What seems a problem in making flood hazard maps in Lao
PDR
The Lao Government will support idea, but I seem challenge to me, as follow
some points in making flood hazard mapping:No budget for doing and producing flood hazard maps.
Lack of resources such as regulation, tools, low technique, and inexperienced
staff for doing.
Lack of sufficient data (inaccurate data) and which organization should be holdthe main responsibility for making flood hazard maps.
The condition of flood between Japan and my country is quite difference.

V.

CONCLUSIONSFor more than five weeks training course with one week orientation, 30 subjects,
4 exercises, 1 field survey, 1 field trip and 4 times presentation it seem too shorttime for me, especially during the exercise in class, because:

Page 7 of 102010Some days I could not follow up the concept of the exercise (not finished yet). It
makes me lose filling with totally new concept and new skills, knowledge forme.
For this training has more meaningful lectures should give mark for participantbase on question, response, exercises and group work presentation.
Concerning to flood hazard mapping the course should have one set completed
example (in term of beginning step until the end step such as criteria,
standard,…) where participants can apply and compare with their own flood
hazard map in his/her country.
For the general overview I have found that limit of time to do exercise. Many
exercise has run to finish their subject, many steps exercise just show up onlywith out detail explanations. If organizer/supervisor can solve these problems
will make course more and more meaningful and successful in the next near
future.
I will report to my boss, Director General of LNMC including LNMC Chairman
all training subject concerned in this course.

Page 8 of 10

Flood Damages in 2002 (source from Department of Planning, MAF)
No
1

Province
Vientiane

District

VillageMeuang Hom
MaidThoulakhom
Sanakgham
Kasi

1
2
1
3

2

Luangnamtha

Vienphoukha

16

3

Khammouane

4

Oudomxay

5

Borokhamxay

Ngommalath
Mahaxay
HinbounThakhek
Hune
Bang
PaksaneThaphabath
Pakkading
Khamkeuth
BorikhanhChamphoneSongkhone
Sonbouly
Saubouly
Vilabouly
Sayphothong
Khanthabouly
Pak Ngeum
Sisattanak
SangthongChanthabouly
Hadsayfong

27
42
60
51
18
19
15
21
36
6
15
33
24
18
16
17
4
8
18
10
11

6

Savannakhet

7

Vientiane
Mun.

Page 9 of 10

28

NaturalDisaster
Flood
Flash
flood
Flood
Landslide
Deluge
Flood
Flood

Flood
landslideFloodlandslide
Flood

Flood

FamilyFamilyAffected Damage
12
16
43
44
68

PeopleTotal
Female
122
49
94

252

447

2,974

239

624
859
6,207
859
646
301
705
1,875
1,801
642
642
5,418
1,588
2,167
1,678
580
177
369
744
257
681

3,353

1,381

4,507
3,915
1,622
3,175
8,438
9,198
4,010
3,207
17,184
7,941
10,837
4,742
2,900
884
1,845
4,871
1,358
3,527

2,330

2,247

PlantedArea

Affected
Area

Lost
Area

6,21

3
10

323
587

3,437
1,375
800
948
518
330
98

Died

10,297

39,5

10
17

793

283

115

1,788
6,721
6,864
3,989

696
1,304
4,709
432
614
89
1,283
2,304
2,157
55
582
3,265
1,509
2,059
901
551
168
351
2,296
15
692
100
2,100

219
261
3,322
344
403
66
1,107
1,843
1,088
25
10
2,167
550
320
671
207
132
39
442
8
554
14
1,500

(m,56)1

(m)2
5,727

8,100
3,590
6,050
8,320
2,800
18,20024,232
7,720
12,562
6,250
9,000
7,910
11,500
638
5,346
550
7,850

8
9

10

11
12

13

Saysettha
Saythany
Nasaithong
Sikhottabong
Luangprabang Luangprabang
Siengngeun
Champasack
Pakse
Sanasomboun
Pathoumphon
PholthongChampasack
SoukumaMoun
Khong
Xiengkhuang Phoukuth
Kham
Pek
Attapeu
SanamsayPhouvong
Bokeo
Huausai
TonpheungPha oudom
Meung
PakthaKhetphatthanaPhongsaly
Yod OuBounneua
Bountai
Mai

Page 10 of 10

7
12
9
10
8
31
33
58
53
49
42
59
105
3
6
18
17
11
11
9
11
7
2
39
15
4
10

Flood
Flood

203
94
67
712
829
668
1,260
1,525
1,075
5,215
3,950

1,012
496
319
5,705
4,075
2,849
9,110
9,784
7,453
51,521
23,575

2,289
2,282
4,689
4,773
3,681
15,997
12,1903,600
14,435
7,725
1,895

831
975
429
72

831
295
152
53

1,468
12,4005,908
22,7402,431
10,800
6,695
11,997

783
1,432
1,732
2,850
2,215
2,293
2,945
2,7800

541

Flood

Flood
Flood

Flood

176
1,186
496
172
39
40
15
7
1,265
525
140
350

1,050

556
6,028
860
239
200
75
35
6,802
2,896
772
1,935

232
3,123

1,469
4,199
4,280
1,212
595
918
67
2,456
1,361
833
735

429
455
28
163
5
15
3

1,589
1,685
1,377
2,045
2,160
23
70
662
854
218

695
230
20
25