Families Evacuated as Mekong Floods Hit Four Provinces

PHNOM PENH – Rising Mekong River levels have triggered flooding, forcing more than 1,500 families to evacuate and affecting over 4,300 hectares of rice fields across Kratie, Stung Treng, Tboung Khmum and Kampong Cham provinces.

Soth Kim Kolmony, spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said the flooding had affected 13,688 families in four provinces, covering 15 cities and 72 communes and sangkats, as of the morning of August 24.

During three days of flooding, the authority evacuated 1,551 families to safe areas, an increase of 175 families compared to August 23.

“The level of water is still increasing in Kratie, Tboung Khmum, and Kampong Cham provinces. But it has gradually decreased in Stung Treng province,” Kolmony said.

He said flooding had affected 9,212 houses and 4,373 hectares of rice fields. Kratie province is the hardest hit, with 7,934 affected families, followed by Tboung Khmum province, with 3,951 families.

Kolmony said authorities have told residents about the flood situation and advised them to be cautious. Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, elderly people, people with disabilities and children, are also receiving attention and help from the authorities.

Authorities are continuing to monitor water levels and provide timely updates to residents. Joint forces and village guards have prepared equipment and evacuation sites to ensure they are ready for evacuation and rescue operations, Kolmony said.

First vice president of the NCDM Kun Kim also inspected the floods and their impact on residents in Tboung Khmum province on August 24.

Kim instructed the provincial administration to pay close attention to residents’ essential needs, particularly their health and safety at evacuation sites and in high-risk areas.

Cambodia is forecast to have heavy rain until August 29 under the influence of storms Atsani, Narra and Gaenari.