PHNOM PENH – Rice on 3,306 hectares in 12 provinces has been ruined by flooding in the past weeks. Kampong Thom province experienced the biggest loss at 2,675 hectares. 

The floods happened in 147 communes of 46 districts in Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Kratie, Oddar Meanchey, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Ratanakiri, Thbong Khmum, Prey Veng, Kandal, Phnom Penh, and Battambang, the National Committee for Disaster Management said on Aug. 6.
Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

At least 5,429 houses were damaged and 15,506 families were affected. Of these, 335 families have been evacuated to higher ground while the rest were safe. 

Meanwhile, 15,435 hectares of rice fields were flooded but not damaged. Of these, 4,729 hectares were in Kampong Thom and 3,930 hectares were in Battambang province. 

Damage in other areas led to the loss of rice on 3,306 hectares, and other crops on 3,227 hectares.  

During his visit on Aug. 5, Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, called on Kampong Thom Governor Nuon Pharat to inspect the flooded areas and to seek solutions to save the flooded rice plants that are ripening. 
Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

In Kampong Thom, Kampong Svay districts faced the most damage with 2,045 hectares flooded and 1,621 hectares ruined. Meanwhile, 670 hectares were flooded and 91 hectares were damaged in Stung Sen district. 

Tina said the most effective solution was to cooperate with local authorities to stem the water flow so that farmers can harvest the remaining rice. 

This could reduce the loss of the crops and revenue though some plants are not ripening yet, he said.