Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Action taken to prevent flooding in Phnom Penh

Action taken to prevent flooding in Phnom Penh

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Pailin Province and other areas could flood from heavy rain this week. Photo supplied

Action taken to prevent flooding in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng ordered officials to dig canals and connect concrete drainage networks to release water in Por Sen Chey, Dangkor and Kambol districts in the western part of the capital, which experience flooding.

Municipal hall spokesman Met Meas Pheakdey told The Post on Monday that continuous rainfall has caused many houses to be affected by flooding, while some roads have been damaged, including a section of National Road 4.

Sreng ordered officials from the departments of Public Works and Transportation, and Water Resources and Meteorology, to collaborate with local authorities to release the water. The operation started on Friday.

“Trapeang Krasang commune, in Por Sen Chey district is severely flooded. The flood decreased to some extent after officials and local authorities used bulldozers to dig out areas.

“It is hoped the water will flow into the Trapeang Krasang canal and continue to the Toul Sampov Pumping Station,” Pheakdey said.

He said floods in Phnom Penh are caused by severe rainfall over several days (at levels between 150mm and 190mm per second). That is made worse by filled canals, illegal construction around canal systems and the disposal of rubbish, which blocks drains.

“We cannot stop natural disasters, but we can do our part to tackle its effects by stopping activities that make the situation worse,” he said.

Pheakdey said he asked for understanding from local people living near a planned canal system in Kambol district.

The canal will be connected to Boeung Tamok lake and flow into the Tonle Sap River. The project is intended to reduce flooding in Phnom Penh and some parts of Kandal and Kampong Speu provinces.

On Monday, Water Resources and Meteorology Minister Lim Kean Hor called on people in low-lying areas near waterways to pay increased attention to flooding which could happen in the middle of this week.

Hor said a low-pressure system still affects Cambodia and impacts some parts of Phnom Penh, and provinces located in the south and east and the coastal provinces.

“From October 7-9, areas near waterways and regions like the Cardamom Mountains will face flooding, sea waves and strong winds,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • EU’s Sokha resolution ‘a sovereign rights breach’

    The National Assembly (NA) said the European Parliament (EP) did not respect the Kingdom’s independence and sovereignty when it passed a resolution strongly critical of the recent conviction and sentencing of former opposition leader Kem Sokha for “treason”. On March 16, the EP issued a