Heavy rain has lashed most parts of Cambodia and many residents, especially those in the rural areas, had to be evacuated and taken to safety

Floods have affected 16 provinces across the country, inundating the homes of more than 2,700 families. According to Soth Kim Kolmony, the spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), heavy rain had also caused more than 40,000 hectares of rice fields to be flooded with over 18,000 hectares destroyed. “Four public schools and four pagodas were also swamped with flood waters and some infrastructure was damaged,” he said.

He said the 16 affected provinces were Tboung Khmum, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Kampot, Kep, Kampong Thom, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Siem Reap, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Ratanakiri provinces. The worst hit was Ratanakiri where 277 families had to be evacuated from their flooded homes to safety on higher ground.

“NCDM and provincial authorities with rescue equipment responded immediately upon receiving reports of people in distress and moved them to safety,” Kim Kolmony said yesterday. “Our committee provided the victims with food and medicine and took care of all of them,” he said. “The Cambodian Red Cross also provided provisions to those who were affected. Soldiers and military police also helped in whatever way they could.”

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