Landslide hazards and the road network
Data on the extent and volume of landsliding affecting Lao
roads are difficult to obtain, as to date there has been no
systematic record or study into the magnitude of the problem.
Road maintenance data collected by the DPWT tends not to be
specific to landslide impacts and includes, for example,
damage to drainage structures, retaining walls and road
pavement, all of which are not necessarily due to landslides
and earthworks failures. Nevertheless, the expenditure on
emergency repairs is documented in such a way that it has
been possible to broadly differentiate between repairs due to
landslides (including earthworks failures) and other works
(Table 1). At current exchange rates the expenditure on
emergency landslide repairs appears to range between US$ 3
and 5 million per year