Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng chaired an August 30 meeting with specialists from all 14 of the capital’s districts to accelerate plans to deal with flash floods from heavy rains.
He said that the participants examined the city’s existing drainage systems, and made plans to expand it to cope with the arrival of climate change related weather events.
“We gathered to conceive new ideas that will address future flooding. If rain inundates factories and large enterprises, this could be of enormous cost to the economy. Therefore, we need to make sure we address the threat as effectively as possible,” he said.
He urged the authorities and all relevant partners to work together as a team and devise a solution that will be able to cope with flooding for the next 15 to 20 years.
He noted that the government was investigating the issue of the Prek Thnaot River overflowing. Following the meeting, he said the municipal administration would prepare a plan for submission to the government.
Sam Piseth, director of the Phnom Penh Department of Public Works and Transport, explained that the department was working to solve the issue. To date, he said the department has built over 924km of rainwater drainage canals and watercourses, and would continue to add to the network.
“Across the capital, we have alleviated flooding in at least 32 locations, seven of them recently,” he added.
Thy Ratanak, a resident of the capital’s Por Sen Chey district, commented on August 31 that every year, torrential rains inundate many of Phnom Penh’s streets. He suggested that local authorities employ more efficient measures, while also urging residents to be wary of their safety when it floods.
“I do worry. In my area, torrential rains inundated several roads. The rainwater and wastewater flow into houses, causing concerns and problems. I would like to see a solution to this matter soon, because the rainy season has arrived,” he added.
He requested that the authorities accelerate plans to solve the problem of flooding in Phnom Penh soon, making it easier for people to navigate the city during the rainy season.
