The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology called on residents in Oddar Meanchey province to be on alert for stormy weather resulting from recent hot weather that has affected the area.

In an announcement seen by The Post on March 10, the ministry said a high pressure ridge from the Pacific had covered the northeastern highlands of Cambodia, creating a low pressure system that caused intermittent rainfall which then developed into strong thunderstorms.

“From March 10 to 16, temperatures throughout Cambodia will rise to about 36-38 degrees Celsius. The hot weather will cause storms in the northwestern provinces and the Dangrek Mountains, in particular Oddar Meanchey province.”

Provincial water resources department director Nen Kuon told The Post on March 10 that in the first week of the month, heavy rain and strong winds have hit Samrong town twice, destroying 31 houses. After the storm, the hot weather quickly returned, sending temperatures soaring to 36-38C from 11:30am to 2:30pm.

“At this time, [Wednesday afternoon] the sky darkened, but the temperature increased to 37C and it looked like it was about to rain,” Kuon said.

According to Kuon, the weather this year will be better than the previous year because winter has lasted longer and in the dry season, there has been a lot of rain, which makes it easier to grow crops.

“This year, we have enough water to supply dry-season irrigation and other cash crops across the province,” he confirmed.

Koh Kong provincial governor Mithona Phouthong on March 10 called on residents in the coastal province, especially fishermen, to be more vigilant of rain, strong winds and thunder.

“Following the ministry’s announcement of the weather situation, the administration appealed to fishermen to temporarily stop fishing to prevent accidents,” she told The Post.

According to Mithona, it has been raining in the province for two days in a row, but no houses have been damaged by strong winds yet.