The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) reports an unsettling bout of flooding across nine Cambodian provinces.
These floods have impacted residential areas, local infrastructure, and even essential crops such as rice, though officials assure the public that the situation is under control.
Rain has been pouring for several days across Kampong Speu, Mondulkiri, Koh Kong, Preah Vihear, Kep, Kampot, Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, and Rattanakkiri provinces. As the skies open, residents are finding themselves wrestling with the elements.
Soth Kim Kolmony, an NCDM spokesman, confirmed to The Post on August 2 that nearly 20 towns and districts across these provinces have felt the brunt of the flooding.
Nearly 7,000 homes housing over 7,000 families, and an excess of 10,000 hectares of rice fields have been affected, prompting some evacuations to ensure public safety.
Kolmony further explained that while the flooding is not severe, it has resulted in some complications due to persistent rainfall and inadequate drainage.
This has led to instances such as roads being submerged for an extended period, effectively cutting off traffic in certain areas. A striking example of this is the O'Raing district in Mondulkiri province where roads have been rendered impassable.
In a turn of events, Long Dimanche, the deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province, informed The Post that weather conditions have taken a positive turn, leading to the reopening of a stretch of National Road 4 on July 31.
However, Dimanche did acknowledge that the flooding had affected approximately 270 families in the districts of Kampong Seila and Prey Nop.
Unlike other regions, evacuations were not necessary in this instance as the floods were relatively short-lived, originating from the mountains. He assured residents that authorities are proactive in their response, deploying boats and other means to aid in the recovery process.
Dimanche asserted: "The flooding was short-lived - only two days, so we could make a primary conclusion that the flooding did not affect the rice crops of the people".
An advisory was also issued by the Mondulkiri provincial administration on August 1, restricting all vehicular traffic on National Road 6A from Kilometres 91-99 in the province due to heavy rain, which resulted in flooding and partial road damage.
Forecasting further weather disruptions, The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology warned on August 2 that several of the affected provinces, including Sre Ambel, Koh Kong, Botum Sakor districts, and Koh Kong province are still receiving moderate rainfall.
Further downpours are also expected in Preah Vihear town, Preah Vihear province, and Rattanakiri province.
