Lao minister: Dam breaks due to substandard construction
The Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam collapsed because of substandard construction, the Lao News Agency KPL quoted the country’s Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthilath on July 27.
The Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam collapsed at 8:00pm on July 23, causing massive flooding which completely isolated Sanamxay district. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – The Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam collapsed becauseof substandard construction, the Lao News Agency KPL quoted the country’sMinister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthilath on July 27.
Minister Khammany Inthilath told a press conference inVientiane that the collapse of Saddle Dam D of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower projecton July 23 was due to poor-quality construction.
Together with the relief efforts, the cause of theaccident is being investigated, he said, adding that under the agreement,involved parties must be responsible for compensation.
The Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower damcollapsed at 8:00pm on July 23, causing flash floods which completely isolatedSanamxay district.
Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith saidat a press conference on July 25 that the dam break had already ravaged 13villages and affected six others as the flood was still flowing.
He said that 587 families with 3,060 peoplewere made homeless, while 131 people were reported missing.
The Sepien-Senamnoi hydroelectric power plant isbeing constructed by the Sepien-Senamnoi Power Company (PNPC), which is ajoint-venture of SK Engineering and Construction (SK E&C), Korea WesternPower (KOWEPO), Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding (RATCH), and LaoHolding State Enterprise (LHSE).
Construction of the project, which is estimated to cost 1.02 billion USD, beganin February 2013 and commercial operations were expected to begin thisyear.–VNA
No Vietnamese has been reported missing as of July 26, while 15 Vietnamese families living in the areas affected by floods triggered by the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam in Laos have been evacuated to safe places, local officials said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung on July 26 handed over 200,000 USD in aid relief from the Vietnamese Government to Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane in order to help the country in the aftermath of the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam.
As of midday on July 27, search teams had rescued 72 families with 413 people from flooded areas caused by the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam in Attapeu province’s Sanamxay district, in Laos.
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The Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam collapsed at 8:00pm on July 23, causing massive flooding which completely isolated Sanamxay district. (Photo: VNA)
