P Vihear floods recede, continue in Stung Treng

Torrential rain has badly affected the provinces of Stung Treng and Preah Vihear.The inclement weather has impacted 1,000 families, with nearly 1,000 hectares of rice and mixed crops damaged.

Nop Vuthy spokesman for the Preah Vihear provincial administration told Khmer Times yesterday that after a few days of heavy rain, the homes of some residents in Preah Vihear town, Chhep I and Chhep II communes of Chhaeb District were damaged.

He said the floods disrupted the lives of 400 families, 423 homes, 403 toilets, 55 water wells, a school, two commune halls, and a pagoda, while floods also destroyed a 305-metre road.

Vuthy also said that floods destroyed 913 hectares of rice and mixed crops for the people.

“We see that the flood situation in Preah Vihear has gradually subsided, but provincial authorities are ready to intervene with people, emergency forces and doctors to help people in case of floods,” he said.

He added that the rain continues, the impact of flooding will worsen, and will continue to affect communes and districts across Preah Vihear province.

Therefore, Vuthy urged people to be extra vigilant in the event of a natural disaster that could cause rain, wind and lightning from Monday until Thursday this week.

Chap Koy, director of the Preah Vihear Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, said that the short-term flood situation in Chhaeb District, Preah Vihear province, has subsided and did not affect the lives of the people too severely.

He added that flooding was caused by heavy rain on Sunday night until now, causing water flowing in streams and canals to rise and to swamp some low-lying houses and paddy rice fields.

“We see that the water level of Stung Sen River in Preah Vihear province is about 9 metres. The water level now compared to last year is similar, and the emergency level is about 11 metres,” he said.

He called on people to continue monitoring weather information updates on a regular basis to remain cautious and be prepared.

Meanwhile, Men Kong, Deputy Governor of Stung Treng, said yesterday that rains continue to impact three districts. The homes of 1,197 people were flooded, affecting 226 houses, 185 hectares of cropland were damaged.

He said that the Thala Barivat district is suffering from flash flooding and authorities went to inspect the exact number of floods, and have taken action to help the people in a timely way.

“We see that the number of people affected by flash floods this year may expand to Stung Treng city if it continues raining, and so I appeal to the people to be cautious and report immediately to local authorities if they are affected by flash flooding,” he said.

The Stung Treng Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology yesterday issued a warning to all residents of Stung Treng to be careful of wind, lightning, and floods from Monday until Thursday.