1.   Frequent, heavy rainfall this month has caused the Mekong River system to overflow into destructive floods in many parts of Laos, the state media reported.

2.   Rising water also damaged power and telephone lines and caused sewage systems to overflow, he added.

3.   The flooding has washed out bridges, damaged power and telephone lines and caused sewage systems to overflow, officials said.

4.   The flooding has washed out bridges, damaged power and telephone lines and caused sewage systems to overflow, the officials said.

5.   The flooding has destroyed roads, damaged power and telephone lines and caused sewage systems to overflow, officials said.

6.   The flooding, which began Tuesday after heavy rain, destroyed roads, damaged power and telephone lines and caused sewage systems to overflow, officials said.

7.   A few hours of heavy rain suffice to make the drainage system overflow, cut off the electricity and turn the streets into a quagmire.