Renewable Revolution

July 26, 2018


At least 27 are dead, 131 missing and thousands homeless after a hydropower dam under construction in Southern Laos ruptured Monday evening and sent more than five billion cubic feet of water spilling into eight nearby villages.

Authorities have rescued more than 2,800 Laotians from the area but say more than 3,000 are still awaiting rescue, and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulit said Wednesday that the disaster is the worst the country has faced in decades.

The dam was one of 70 hydropower projects that have been built or are under construction in Laos, which is aiming to use the projects to become a major source of energy for the region. "Many dams in operation or planned are not designed to be able to cope with extreme weather events," ⛈ 🌩 🌪

International Rivers, a group that campaigns against the growth of hydropower in Laos, said in a statement. "Unpredictable and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change, posing grave safety concerns to millions who live downstream of dams."

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-laos-accident-dam/laos-scrambles-for-food-medicines-coffins-after-dam-burst-idUSKBN1KG09K