Water levels along the Cambodian-Thai border in Banteay Meanchey province have decreased, while the level of the Stung Sen River in Kampong Thom province on August 17 had risen slightly. The minimal flooding was not seriously affecting the people.
Lay Puthy, deputy director of the Banteay Meanchey provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, told The Post that the rivers on the border in Poipet and Malai districts had receded after officials opened flood gates and allowed the excess water to flow into the Tonle Sap Lake via the Serei Sophoan and Mongkol Borei rivers.
“As of 10am on August 17, the water level at the border streams had receded,” he said.
A joint task force equipped with excavators and boats remained on high alert, however, as the situation can change quickly.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology’s August 17 forecast predicted light to heavy rain across the country until at least August 23, which meant the risk of flooding remained.
He Koeun, director of the Kampong Thom water resources department, told The Post on August 17 that the level of the Stung Treng River had swelled by just 1cm in the past day, but remained above the alert level. This had inundated more than 10,000ha of farmland in three districts, including Sung Sen town, Kampong Svay and Stong districts.
“Fortunately, in a situation where the water is rising slowly, it does not affect the daily lives of the people as much. Of course we cannot be negligent – especially those who live near low-lying waterways – as rain continues to fall,” he said.
