VIENTIANE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Tuesday suspended the planned government meeting and rushed to Sanamxay to monitor rescue and relief efforts for victims of a flash flood triggered by a dam collapse.
Several people were killed and hundreds are missing, while 6,600 remain homeless, according to Lao News Agency.
The collapse of the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam on Monday caused flash flooding in six villages of Sanamxay district, including Yai Thae, Hinlad, Mai, Thasengchan, Tha Hin, and Samong. Hinlad and Mai villages were hard-hit, according to Lao News Agency.
The under-construction dam collapsed at 8:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) on Monday, releasing 5 billion cubic meters of water in hours.
The Attapeu Provincial Administration Office has announced relief aid, such as clothing, food and drinking water, for flood victims.
Being constructed by Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy Power Company, a joint venture of South Korean, Thai and Lao companies, the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydroelectric power project is estimated to cost 1.02 billion U.S. dollars, and have an annual electricity generation of approximately 1,860 GWh.
Feasibility study for the hydroelectric project was completed in November 2008. Construction of the project began in February 2013 and commercial operations are expected to begin in 2018.
