Bangkok - The Mekong River has swollen to levels not seen since 1966, causing floods in Bokeo, Xaignbouri and Vientiane provinces that are likely to last all week, Lao media reports said Wednesday. "Damage from the floods, which have already inundated thousands of hectares of agricultural land, has been severe," said Radio Laos in a broadcast monitored in Bangkok.
The state-run radio did not provide more details on the flood damage but other reports suggest the flood waters have reached record levels in the land-locked communist country.
"Water levels at stations upstream from Chiang Saen to Nong Khai are presently higher than the levels at the same period of the year 1966, which is considered as the worst flood year in over 100 years," said a bulletin issued by the MRC Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre.
"In particular at Vientiane the current level is the highest level since 1923," it added.
The Mekong River defines the border between Thailand and Laos. Flooding is common in south-east Asia during the monsoon season, which starts in May and lasts until October.
