Preah Sihanouk officials are warning boat operators to be cautious about weather conditions that cause strong winds and high waves that can sink vessels and even damage homes.

Two fishing boats sank in rough seas near Koh Thas (island) on Monday while five fishermen were rescued by tour boat captain Tea Vichet.

Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall spokesperson Kheang Phearum told The Post on Tuesday the sea has waves between 1.5m and 2m and there is also strong winds.

To avoid any possible dangers, fishermen, boat operators and tourists who travel to any islands in the province, especially Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem must be cautious, he said.

“As for the boats that sank on Monday, five people would have died if there was no intervention from Vichet’s team,” Phearum said.

Vichet told The Post on Tuesday that it took his team two hours to rescue the fishermen. “It was a hard rescue and it took time because the wind was very strong,” he said.

Kampot officials reported 30 houses were damaged at Trapaing Pov village, Prek Tnort commune, in Teuk Chhou district due to the heavy rains and strong wind on Monday.

“The houses were damaged severely and six of them entirely. No one died or was injured,” Prek Tnort commune chief Kong Bunra told The Post.

The Ministry of Water Resource and Meteorology on Tuesday announced strong rain in the Kingdom, especially in regions near the sea, from July 1 to July 7.