A market vendor in Phnom Penh sells warm winter coats ahead of expected temperature drops. Hong Menea
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology urged residents and troops stationed in the Dangrek Mountain range and the northeastern plateau to keep warm as weather in the region gets colder in the coming week.
According to the ministry’s forecasts, the region’s temperature will drop to around 14 degree Celsius.
Ministry spokesman Chan Yutha told The Post on December 29 that besides high pressure from China and Northeastern Monsoon winds, an active low-pressure area that is moving through the Straits of Malacca towards the borders of Thailand and Malaysia will affect the weather in Cambodia.
Due to these circumstances, the weather in Cambodia will have lower temperatures from the night of December 30 to January 5.
“On the night of New Year celebrations, the weather could be as cold as 14C or lower for the Dangrek Mountain range and northeastern plateau. In the central plains, the weather is [forecasted to be as] cold as 16C,” he said.
Yutha added that after the New Year celebration, the cold weather will continue into the night of January 3.
Meanwhile, residents and troops living or stationed along the border close to Dangrek Mountain range and the northeastern plateau, as well as in the central plains are advised to wear thick clothes to keep themselves warm.
People in the coastal areas in Cambodia, especially island travellers and fishermen, are also warned of strong wind and sea waves that pose a possible danger.
During that period of time, wind speed is forecast at 10m per second, with waves as high as 1.5m to 2m.
Yutha added that from January 4 to 5, there will be less rainfall in areas of the provinces bordering Vietnam.
Brigade Nº4 commander Sorn Sea told The Post that his forces stationed at the Chakran Yak and Chankrahorm frontline area near the Ta Moan temple in Oddar Meanchey province have received sweaters and medicine to help keep their body warm.
“We are not worried about this cold weather because we have received some sweaters and materials for us to keep warm in the cold weather,” he said.
Khan Samen, the military sub-region commander in Preah Vihear province’s Choam Ksan district, told The Post that on December 26-27, the temperature in the district was as low as 16C. However, the daily lowest temperature had risen to 19C on December 29, he said.
“Some of our officers caught a cold because of the weather in these past few days, especially patrolling forces who ensure safety and peace along our borders,” he said.
