Phnom penh: Deputy Governor of Savannakhet Province Khamphouy Sibounheuang and his delegation inspected flood-affected areas, damage, and impacts along the Se Bang Fai River in Xayboury District on August 14, 2026.
According to Lao News Agency, the delegation provided relief supplies to affected residents and handed over 100 million kip in emergency funds to Xayboury District to support disaster response efforts. The Xayboury District Disaster Management Committee reported that heavy rainfall from August 4-13 caused water levels in the Se Bang Fai and Se Noi rivers to rise, flooding farmland and homes in 29 villages and affecting 2,992 families.
Preliminary damage assessments revealed the flooding had impacted five roads and bridges, 4,251 hectares of farmland, 99 fishponds, and four schools. Homes in 14 villages were also affected, with residents from Xiengkai and Kaengvaeng villages evacuated. Currently, 32 families (68 people) are staying at temporary shelters, while 68 families (165 people) are residing with relatives.
During the inspection, the delegation visited Tonhen, Bungse, Hadsaysoung, Kangpa, and Kaengphosi villages, where residents were reinforcing river embankments with sandbags to prevent further flooding. Relief supplies, including drinking water, instant noodles, and canned fish, were distributed to affected residents.
The delegation also traveled by boat and tractor to reach areas inaccessible by road, inspecting several locations in the Nongheuathong area, including Sakong, Phakphuea, Somsa-at, Houayhae, and Houaythamhieng villages, where a concrete bridge is under construction. Residents called on the authorities to construct sluice gates to strengthen flood and drought control, noting that the Se Bang Fai River currently flows through Houayhae stream, potentially inundating more than 2,000 hectares of farmland.
Mr. Khamphouy instructed district authorities and village administrations to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect residents, particularly by monitoring and preventing waterborne diseases during and after the flooding. He also instructed relevant authorities to conduct follow-up inspections of the concrete bridge construction site over Houayhae stream once water levels recede.
According to the Savannakhet Provincial Disaster Management Committee, heavy rainfall from August 4-11 affected eight districts and Kaysone Phomvihane City. The affected areas included Champhone, Xayboury, Kaysone Phomvihane, Athaphone, Chonnabouly, Thapangthong, Songkhone, Nong, and Vilabouly districts. The flooding damaged 58 road sections connecting villages, eight bridges, and one embankment.