Post by Laoupdate on May 3, 2005 8:08:36 GMT -5
THREE people were killed in a windstorm that hit Champhon district in Savannakhet province at 7pm on 25 April.
Two others were seriously injured. Houses, rice storage and schools were damaged. A local source estimates that damage adds up to millions of kip.
The three who perished belong to a family of seven in Phonthong village - Mr Lay, 70, Mrs Chiem, 60 and Mr Fong, 17.
According to an eye witness, when the storm first hit at 7pm, many people ran out of their houses to a safer place for hiding. The second storm came from the south, like a red cloud on fire, engulfing the entire village. Fortunately, by this time, majority of villagers escaped from their houses, only the victims’ family remained at their house. By the time the third storm came, it was already too late for the family of seven to escape. Three people were killed as a result. The two injured crawled from the scene to the paddy field nearby, the witness added.
The seven affected villages were: Dong Muang – with 33 houses, one school and five rice storage damaged; Thouat Neua – with 13 houses and three rice storage damaged; Bouang – with 10 houses damaged; Sakhuan Neua - with eight houses damaged; Phaylom - with four houses damaged; Khilak - with two houses damaged and Phonthong - with six houses damaged.
Apart from Champhon district, Nongdeun village in Khathabouly district was also hit by the storm. Two schools and 20 houses were reported damaged.
Currently, the authorities and local people are making effort to help the victims and to repair houses and schools.
Source: kplnet.net
