Laos will build Dyke to protect vientiane

VIENTIANE, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Laos will build a 12km-long dyke along the Mekong River section running through Vientiane in order to prevent the capital city from flooding, the Vietnam news agency reported Friday quoting Lao Deputy Permanent Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat as saying here.The Lao government will seek foreign loans for the construction of the dyke, said Somsavat Lengsavat, who is also Chairman of the Vientiane Committee for Flood Control.Vientiane capital and other localities suffered largest-ever flooding in the past weeks.In Vientiane, the Mekong River water level was measured 13.68m, 1.1 m higher than the alarming level, causing inundation in many areas in the city.The government had mobilised thousands of people to build a 2.5m-high sand-bag dyke along the city to prevent water from flooding the capital city.The rising water level of Mekong River also caused flooding and heavy material damages in Khammoan, Champassak and Savanakhet provinces.