Flooding is most common in September or October in Laos, but by early July this year some parts in Laos had already suffered few times of severe floods, i.e. the first occured on June 24-27, and second on July 2.

Tropical storm Haima orginated in the South China Sea and reached Laos on June 24 resulting in heavy rains in Borikhamxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khuang and Vientiane Province.Some villagers still fear the next flood, wondering when it will come and how high the water will be after the rumour of another storm spread through local communities.

"The severe flooding has more or less affected our projects proceedings, but not seriously." Huang Feiyun, the chief representative of CCC Engineering Ltd. in Laos, said.

However, the flash flooding killed seven people in Xieng Khuang province and two others in Xayaboury province, destroyed infrastructure including roads, bridges, power cable, water supplies, and the farmland and livestock of local people, many of whom are poor. In many areas, roads have become impassable, forcing authorities to use planes to carry relief supplies to stranded communites.

An estimated at least 100,000 people have been affected by the flooding.