More than 1,700 families living in Kampot province’s Teuk Chhou district have been affected by flooding caused by two days of heavy rains, according to the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).
Keo Vy, NCDM spokesman, said heavy rains on Tuesday and yesterday “due to low pressure” led to the flooding of 200 hectares of rice paddies.
He added that 1,760 families – many of whom had water up to their knees inside their homes – had been affected, but no injuries or deaths were reported.
The flooding was focused on three communes in the area, Mak Brang, Kampong Kreng and Prey Khmum. All sit below the Kamchay dam.
The dam, brought online in 2011, was previously thought to have reduced flooding in the area, though a 2013 report by the NGO Forum noted that its ability to prevent large floods was “still to be seen”.
Provincial Governor Khoy Khun Hour said yesterday that rising water levels had forced officials at the dam to release water.
A number of provinces are expected to be vulnerable to heavy rains through Friday.
