Floods had also affected more than 35,000ha of land in Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum and Prey Veng provinces. Supplied
Coastal and central provinces and areas along the lower Mekong basin face flooding again this week, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology forecast on Sunday.
The threat of further floods across the Mekong basin is a result of a low pressure system and the southwest monsoon.
The ministry has predicted heavy to moderate rain and thunderstorms from Monday to Friday, with coastal provinces to be buffeted by strong winds.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has warned people living along the lower Mekong and in central provinces and those around the Tonle Sap to brace for flooding as rivers overflow.
“According to the weather forecast, and with the high water levels of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, flooding this year will likely be worse than in previous years,” the ministry said.
National Committee for Disaster Management spokesperson Keo Vy told The Post on Sunday that flooding along the Mekong had so far killed 12 people, including children.
Five people were killed in Kampong Cham province, four in Kratie province, two in Tbong Khmum province and one in Preah Vihear province.
Floods had also affected more than 35,000ha of land in Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum and Prey Veng provinces. Some 13,000ha of rice fields had been destroyed.
“The threat of flooding has not yet passed. Our team will continue working with the relevant authorities and institutions to rescue people in trouble and give assistance, such as supplying food and medicine to people in affected areas,” Vy said.
He said the level of the Stueng Saen river in Kampong Thom province had on Sunday reached emergency levels, with some parts of Baray district already flooded. However, people’s homes were yet to be affected.
On Saturday, rains had again caused flooding in Preah Sihanouk province from Commune I to Commune 4. However, the water had returned to normal levels after local authorities widened canals on Sunday.
Sihanoukville governor Y Sokleng said on Sunday that the town was still experiencing bad weather.
