Heavy rainfall over the last few days has some districts in Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang provinces experiencing flooding, as provincial authorities called on residents to remain vigilant.
Kampong Speu governor Vei Samnang said the flooding situation was caused by changes in the weather that brought continuous rains early in January. The affected districts are Odong, Samrong Tong, Oral, Thpong and Phnom Sruoch as well as Chbar Mon town.
He noted that Chbar Mon town’s Koh Vien village has a population of about 100 households, with 65 of them affected, one seriously. Parts of the village were surrounded by water. In the past, the village was flooded about once every 10 years in the rainy months.
“For this year, it is strange that there is flooding in a dry season month, so it is a bit difficult. But the people and local authorities at all levels such as village and commune chiefs have paid close attention – especially the village chiefs who have been walking door-to-door to tell the residents to be careful and prepare basic survival materials in their houses to avoid any possible accidents,” he added.
He reminded residents living along the Stung Prek Tnaot River to remain vigilant as they could be hit with flooding like those in Kandal province and Phnom Penh.
In Kampong Chhnang province, deputy governor Sron Sam Rithy said that so far the provincial administration has sent a team to visit some of the flooded districts, including Kampong Tralach and Samaki Meanchey, to help them cope with the flooding and collect reports on the magnitude of the impact.
“We see that the floods in the dry season have broken some roads and bridges and damaged infrastructure in Kampong Tralach and Samaki Meanchey districts. In addition, it has also affected some enterprises and factories on National Road 5. The province is making a summary report to the higher-level authorities and especially the National Committee for Disaster Management [NCDM],” he added.
