A boy died in Preah Vihear province yesterday after being swept away by floods caused by heavy rains that are expected to continue for at least the next two or three days, local officials said yesterday.

Choam Ksan District Governor Chea Kemseng said a 13-year-old boy was playing in a creek when he was swept away by the currents and drowned in the floods that have impacted about 200 hectares of farmland.

“Now many houses in four communes – Yeang, Choam Ksan, Teuk Krahom and Sre – are facing flooding, but villagers are not worried yet, and they have not moved to the reserved safe hills yet,” Kemseng said.

Preah Vihear Provincial Governor Un Chanda, who inspected some of the flooded areas, said that homes, health centres and schools had been impacted in four districts – Chheb, Kulen, Chey Sen, Choam Ksan and Preah Vihear town.

“At the moment, the water is receding quickly but authorities are still ready to rescue people located in the vulnerable areas, and bring them to the safe hills while the bad weather continues,” Chanda explained.

Meanwhile, Kampong Cham Provincial Governor Kruoch Chamroeun said about 20 homes along the Mekong River were also facing collapse due to the heavy rains, but that many villagers were choosing to stay in their houses after moving their belongings to higher ground.

Water Resources and Meteorology Ministry spokesman Mao Hak said that at least medium-to-heavy rain is expected to continue in Preah Vihear today and Thursday, with rain also expected in the interior of the country.

From 2am to late yesterday morning, Preah Vihear had seen 123 millilitres of rainfall, the spokesman added.