In the lush valleys of Luang Prabang, Laos, Xienglom Village faces a silent battle . While its emerald landscapes captivate visitors, the community’s survival hinges on a fragile balance between rainy abundance and dry-season despair. For months each year, taps run dry, fields crack, and villagers trek miles for water—a cycle trapping families in poverty.
Meet Bentanong, the village chief determined to rewrite this story. Armed with decades of local wisdom and grassroots grit, he’s rallying Xienglom’s residents to hunt for sustainable solutions. But can they outsmart climate extremes and secure a reliable water source?
Why It Matters: Laos’ rural communities often mirror global climate struggles—where water scarcity fuels inequality. Xienglom’s journey reflects a wider crisis impacting education, health, and economic growth in Southeast Asia.
What’s Next: Will innovative rainwater harvesting or revived ancient irrigation systems tip the scales? The village’s fate could inspire similar regions battling the dry-season curse.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com