Officials inspect flooding in Preah Sihanouk's Kampong Seila district on July 17. - Photo: Screengrab from Facebook
PHNOM PENH: Following several days of heavy rain, at least nine provinces have been affected by flooding, but no serious damage or loss have life has been reported.
The National Committee for Disaster Management has announced that relief units and their equipment are standing by to respond.
The early onset of the rainy season has caused flooding in Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Kampong Speu, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong and Battambang provinces, as well as the upper part of Pursat, said NCDM spokesman Soth Kimkolmony.
“While all of these provinces have all been affected, the overall impact has not been so serious.
"Some land has been inundated, along with some gravel roads in the countryside and the ground floors of a few homes,” he explained.
“In some provinces, some rice fields were flooded, but farmers had help from local authorities to harvest them, so their crops survived,” he added, warning that some areas were continuing to experience heavy rain, meaning water levels are continuing to rise.
According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, he added, rain storms are likely to continue in some regions, meaning the level of the Mekong River will be high, which may have an impact on some parts of the Kingdom.
Kimkolmony noted that the NCDM is still compiling damage reports, but was unlikely to release the data as some flood conditions were continuing and intervention work was still being carried out.
He made it clear that the NCDM and other relevant institutions are closely monitoring the situation and working to take action as soon as it becomes necessary, in accordance with its mechanisms.
The committee remains committed to providing assistance and ensuring that there is no loss of life.
“So far, no deaths have been recorded. We prepared measures in advance to respond to floods, at both the provincial and national levels.
"Our planning takes into account potential risks, how many people may be affected, what areas may be affected and what measures we need to take.
"The resources we need are already outlined in the plans we have prepared,” he said.
In addition, the NCDM is continually inspecting and strengthening its intervention forces, as well as its equipment and other resources, so they are always ready to respond to an emergency.
On July 19, the Kampong Thom provincial administration issued warnings for the public to exercise caution and be prepared to take action should the Stung Sen River continue to rise, noting that it was approaching the emergency level.
On July 19, the water level of the river at the Kampong Thom station was 12.93 metres, but rising steadily. The official emergency level is 13.50 metres.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has instructed all officials and institutions under its authority to ensure road repair teams are standing by to take action should flooding damage roads.
It explained that traffic interruptions could affect the travel of citizens and must be kept to a minimum.
The ministry noted that this rainy season, the rain has begun to fall at moderate to high levels, conditions which require caution, particularly around rising river levels.
Rising water levels could pose a threat to people’s lives, as well as crops and infrastructure, so potential risks needed to be addressed as effectively as possible, it explained.
It reminded its officials to prepare appropriate materials and human resources so it can respond to any natural disasters in a timely and effective manner, in collaboration with the NCDM.
“You must collaborate with local authorities and other relevant departments to respond to floods, prevent heavy vehicles passing through flood-affected areas ensure that the public is kept informed, particularly those who are travelling and those who work in the transport sector,” it said.
In addition, traffic signs and warning signs should be installed at all flood-prone locations to avoid possible accidents to road users.
Staff should be ready to participate in any search and rescue operations that become necessary.
It also reminded the relevant officials that they are responsible for enacting timely repairs to any infrastructure `which falls under the ministry’s jurisdiction, should it be damaged by natural disasters. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
