Law No. 36/NA on Meteorology and Hydrology.

This Law, consisting of 69 articles divided into eleven Chapters, defines principles, rules, and measures on the management, monitoring and evaluation of meteorological and hydrological activities in order to ensure that the work in this field is expanded, modernised, effective and efficient. It aims to prevent and reduce the impacts of natural disasters on lives and properties of the state, public and individuals. Its purpose is also to ensure a timely and accurate data provision that can be integrated at a regional and international level, which will contribute to the national socio-economic growth in line with the green and sustainable development and national security. This law applies to domestic and international individuals, entities and organisations that reside in, and are actively involved in meteorological and hydrological activities in Lao PDR. The meteorological and hydrological strategy is the basic policy for the management, application, maintenance, development and evaluation of the forecasting and early warning activities. The meteorological and hydrological strategy consists of plans, programmes, projects and activities related to this work.
The meteorological and hydrological strategy contains: 1. The expansion and improvement of the network of meteorological and hydrological stations and the national warning center; 2. The provision of necessary equipment and technology to meteorological and hydrological activities; 3. The management of meteorological and hydrological activities, including the management plan of the national warning center, shall be conducted continuously and efficiently; 4. The management of meteorological and hydrological database system shall be sustainable, continuous and integrated with regional and international system; 5. The propagation of data and information on meteorological and hydrological activities; 6. The strengthening of the implementation of human resource development on technical knowledge and capacity in managing and monitoring meteorological and hydrological activities.
Meteorological Stations are stations equipped with measuring instruments that collect data for analysis, study, research and forecasting of climate changes and earthquake. Meteorology Stations consist of: 1. Surface Meteorological Stations; 2. Weather Stations; 3. Agrometeorological stations; 4. Meteorological Satellite Receiving Stations; 5. Radar Meteorological Stations; 6. Mobile Weather Stations; 7. Air Quality Monitoring Stations; 8. Earthquake Monitoring Stations; 9. Aviation Meteorological Stations; 10. Upper-Air Weather Stations.
The Law is divided as follows: General Provisions (Chap. I); Meteorological and Hydrological Strategy (Chap. II); Regional and International Cooperation in Meteorology and Hydrology (Chap. III); Meteorological and Hydrological Stations (Chap. IV); Construction of Meteorological and Hydrological Stations (Chap. V); Meteorological and Hydrological Information (Chap. VI); Forecasting and Early Warning (Chap. VII); Prohibition (Chap. VIII); Management and Inspection (Chap. IX); Incentives for Good Performers and Measures for Those Who Violate (Chap. X); Final Provisions (Chap. XI).