The Meteorology and Hydrology Department warned on Friday that moderate to heavy rainfall will occur in southeast Laos over the next three days due to a low-pressure system centred in the South China Sea.
Villagers living in low-lying areas near rivers should be on the alert for flash floods and landslides that may be caused by torrential rain.
The Mekong rose to 12.72m in Pakxe on Thursday.
Those in at-risk areas in eastern areas of Savannakhet, Saravan, Attapeu and Xekong provinces should move to higher ground to avoid possible loss of property, livestock or life.
Weather forecasters are also concerned that heavy rainfall will exacerbate the flooding in southern Laos, particularly in Champassak province.
The province’s weather forecaster Mr Sengchanh Sondara said the level of the Mekong River in central Pakxe district, Champassak province, had stabilised on Friday but the whole city remained at a high risk of flooding.
On Wednesday, the Mekong rose to 12.75m and dropped back to 12.72m on Thursday morning, but rose again to 12.77m that evening.
On Friday morning, the water level dipped to 12.66m, still above the 12m danger level, and Mr Sengchanh told Vientiane Times the future was uncertain.
“The water level could go up or down depending on rainfall and the amount of water released from dams in tributaries on either side of the Mekong,” Mr Sengchanh said.
This, the third bout of flooding in Champassak province, has brought additional hardships to farmers who have lost crops and livestock.
More than 77,000 people in nine districts of the province have been affected by the flooding. Many villagers have been forced to relocate to higher ground or move in with their relatives, while some have elected to live on the second-floor of their houses.
Although some rice is ready to harvest and some requires a couple of weeks to reach maturity, farmers look likely to lose the entire crop because of the flooding.
The Champassak provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry reported that about 13,200 hectares of rice have already been affected, sparking concerns about a potential rice shortage next year.
Affected villagers are in urgent need of clean water, food and medicine so all donations are welcome to help relieve their suffering.
This year, most parts of Laos have suffered flooding and landslides that have killed at least 30 people since June 24 when tropical storm Haima hit the country.
The flooding and landslides not only destroyed crops but also roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.
In Vientiane, the recent release of water from the Nam Ngum I dam has affected thousands of villagers living downstream. Officials said the water release aimed to save the dam from destruction.
In Khammuan and Savannakhet provinces, the level of the Mekong declined slightly on Thursday from 12.99m and 11.2m to 12.84m and 10.82m, respectively.
