VIENTIANE, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Natural disasters affected 217,168 people in Laos in 2024, with damage totaling over 6 trillion kip (some 279 million U.S. dollars).

In 2024, Laos experienced 69 extreme weather events, including storms, fires, lightning, floods, landslides, drought, and earthquakes. These events affected 58,753 families, 1,730 villages, and 147 districts.

The disasters resulted in 58 injuries, 17 fatalities, 6,432 partially damaged houses, and many others completely destroyed, Lao Army Television reported on Wednesday.

Flooding and landslides damaged 32 national highways, 46 provincial highways, 82 district roads, 195 rural roads, six municipal roads, 31 bridges, and 10 waterworks.

Additionally, 41,027 hectares of land were flooded and 4,349 livestock affected. A total of 118 irrigation systems, 126 schools, eight health centers, and 86 water bodies were also damaged.

Huaphan, Luang Namtha, Xayaboury, Luang Prabang, and other northern provinces faced the most severe damage and are still recovering.

The government has approved additional funding for the central disaster management fund and encouraged stronger coordination across all levels of committees. It is also supporting the formation of emergency assessment teams and upgrading warning systems to better prepare the public for emergencies. Enditem

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