Battambang rice fields face severe water shortages

Authorities in Battambang province are grappling with water shortages affecting more than 18,000 hectares of rice fields, raising fears of crop losses during what should be the rainy season.

The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) confirmed that Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed officials to step up monitoring and prepare urgent measures. Senior Minister Kun Kim, the committee’s first vice‑president, said provincial leaders and department heads must conduct detailed assessments and act swiftly to support farmers.

Reports show that by 1 July, 18,362 hectares of rice fields had been hit, with 7,769 hectares in Ek Phnom district and 10,593 in Sangke. The shortages come despite seasonal rains, highlighting the growing strain on Cambodia’s water resources.

At a mid‑year review meeting on 2 July, Water Resources Minister Thor Chetha urged vigilance and stressed the need to conserve as much water as possible in the months ahead. He warned that the return of the El Niño climate pattern could bring hotter, drier conditions during the upcoming dry season, compounding the current crisis.

Chetha outlined ongoing efforts to secure new water sources, build reservoirs, and modernise irrigation systems. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening meteorological services to improve forecasting and provide timely warnings about floods, droughts and other climate‑related disasters.

Officials say close coordination with provincial administrations will be vital to keep communities informed and to mitigate the risks posed by climate change. For farmers in Battambang, however, the immediate concern is whether their rice crops can survive the shortages already taking hold.

-2026-07-05