The Ministry of Water Resources yesterday appealed to people living in the central lowlands and coastal areas to be prepared for flooding caused by tropical storm Aere, warning them that flooding could be even worse than usual.

According to the ministry’s weather forecast, heavy rains will continue to fall nationwide from today to Sunday and new floods are expected in the capital and multiple provinces.

“This week, some central lowland areas and plateaus might face worse flooding than in the past, so the people have to be prepared,” the ministry report said.

Hundreds of families living on the outskirts of Phnom Penh are already experiencing serious flooding. Mean Chanyada, City Hall administrative director, yesterday called on people living in the flooded areas to be patient and to work with authorities.

He also asked them to help remove waste and soil from blocked drainage points to improve water flow.

“At this moment, Phnom Penh Municipal Hall and involved authorities are dredging some canal systems to ease the water flow,” he added.

Keo Vy, spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management, said that he has not yet received any report about the extent of damage to homes and farmland, but said the flooding had not gotten to a point that warranted displacing people.

“The situation is not serious enough to have to evacuate people to the safe hill,” he said.