国际英语资讯:2 confirmed dead, more missing after dam collapses in Laos_时事

国际英语资讯:2 confirmed dead, more missing after dam collapses in Laos

VIENTIANE, July 24 -- At least two people are confirmed dead as of 4:30 p.m. local time (0930 GMT) on Tuesday, and a number of villagers are still missing after an under-construction dam collapsed causing flash flood in southern Laos, state-run online newspaper Vientiane Times quoted a senior provincial official as saying.

The the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam collapsed on Monday night. Video clips and photos on social media showed flood-water levels going up to the ceiling, forcing villagers and animals to seek shelter on rooftops.

"Villagers have sought shelter on their roofs, and some climbed up trees to escape the flood waters," an official of the provincial rescue operation board said on condition of anonymity.

Helicopters and boats have been deployed for the rescue operation to search for the missing, district governor Bounhome Phommasane told Vientiane Times on Tuesday.

Some people have been rescued and are sheltering at the facilities of the district's main municipality.

Rescuers are battling with time as the water level is poised to rise, the governor said, adding that the number of affected villages are likely to grow.

Moderate and heavy rains with strong winds are forecast for some areas in central and southern provinces in the coming days, which could worsen the situation, the Lao Meteorology and Hydrology Department warned.

The Lao government declared the flooded area an emergency disaster zone on Tuesday. Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith suspended the planned government meeting and rushed to Sanamxay to monitor rescue and relief efforts for victims.