As of this morning, October 2, the number of Cambodian provinces affected by heavy rain and flooding had increased to 11. More than 30,000 families and over 10,000 hectares of rice fields are currently impacted.
Soth Kimkolmony, spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said today that floodwaters have affected 46 districts and towns across 11 provinces.
“Due to the influence of a regional storm system, there has been heavy rainfall in various provinces across the country. The floods have affected 46 towns and districts, with a total of 35,651 families impacted. More than 27,000 houses have been affected, and over 2,000 families have evacuated to safe areas,” he said.
The affected regions are in Ratanakkiri, Stung Treng, Kratie, Prey Veng, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Mondulkiri, Banteay Meanchey, Tbong Khmum, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.
Floodwaters have inundated more than 16,000 hectares of rice fields, of which over 600 hectares have been damaged.
The NCDM has mobilised all available resources respond to the situation.
Kimkolmony called on authorities and relevant institutions at all levels to remain vigilant, as the situation may continue, according to warnings from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.
“Preventive measures and preparedness for emergency responses to the flooding must be taken seriously,” he added.
This morning, the water resources ministry announced that a low-pressure system has formed in the southern part of the South China Sea, strongly influencing the southwest monsoon that blows over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, the Mekong Basin and Cambodia.
This situation is expected to bring rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds over 25% of lowland areas from October 2 to 4. In the highland regions, rain with thunderstorms and strong winds may cover 30% of the area, while coastal regions may experience the same weather covering 25% of the territory.
