Part 9/15:

Resettlements caused by dam projects are often insufficiently supportive. Many displaced villagers find it difficult to regain pre-dam livelihoods, with limited access to healthcare, education, or alternative income sources. The collapse of auxiliary dams, such as the 2018 failure of the Sepian Dam, underscores safety concerns especially given the seismic activity along fault lines in the region.

Cross-Border Disputes and Downstream Effects

Hydropower development is not confined within Laos’ borders; river systems like the Mekong are interconnected, and upstream dams have cascading effects downstream. Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and even China have expressed concerns about environmental degradation, fish migration obstruction, and sediment deprivation.