Heavy rains and floods hit many provinces in Cambodia, with more than 25,000 families affected

China News Service, Phnom Penh, September 27 (Yang Qiang, Zhang Yanlin) Affected by floods caused by consecutive days of heavy rain, many roads in Battambang Province, Cambodia, adopted temporary road closure measures from September 26 to 27. Officials from the local transportation department stated on the 27th that the current flood levels are still continuing to rise, with some bridges being completely submerged, and some road sections being directly washed away by the floods.

The picture shows a rising river in the suburbs of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on September 22. Photo by China News Service reporter Yang Qiang

Officials from Cambodia's National Disaster Management Committee said on September 26 that since the beginning of this month, floods caused by continuous rainfall have affected dozens of cities and regions in 10 provinces in the country, including Battambang, Pailin, Pursat, Preah Vihear, and Siem Reap, causing more than 25,000 households to be affected and more than 2,900 households to be forced to evacuate their homes. According to Cambodian media reports, the floods have killed one person in Pailin Province.

Battambang Province is one of the areas hardest hit by the new round of floods. Local officials reported on the 27th that this round of floods affected more than 21,000 households in 14 cities and counties in the province, and 856 households were evacuated to safe high ground. The floods also affected 780 infrastructure facilities in the aforementioned 14 cities and counties, and affected more than 35,000 hectares of rice fields.

Heavy rainfall also caused damage to many places in Siem Reap Province, a famous tourist destination. The water management team of the Cambodian Fairy Agency (Angkor Heritage Management Agency) is deployed at key points, implementing 24-hour shifts, and real-time monitoring of drainage sluices in key areas to divert water and ensure that the Angkor Heritage Reserve and Siem Reap city are protected from flood disasters.

The authorities pointed out that the current round of flooding was mainly caused by heavy rainfall. If heavy rainfall continues, the disaster may spread further. The Cambodian Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology predicts that heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms may continue until September 30 in many parts of Cambodia. (over)