PHNOM PENH – Floods due to heavy rain have hit the  provinces of Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, Banteay Meanchey, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, Kratie and Siem Reap.

National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM)  spokesman Soth Kimkol Mony said the country has experienced rainfall from moderate to heavy over the past few days, resulting in minor flooding as of September 25. 

The floods have affected 25 districts and 77 communes, 7,503 families and 4,556 houses that have been submerged. Five families were evacuated to safety in Kampong Thom province.

A total of 5,047 hectares of rice crops and 1,832 hectares of other crops have been affected but only 1,096 hectares of the rice fields were damaged.

Mony said the NCDM inspected the flooded areas and reported that the damage is severe but residents and local authorities have been working together effectively to respond to the situation.

“The flooding hasn’t taken lives. The local authority in each province has been well prepared and has responded quickly by informing the residents beforehand,” said Mony. 

The Mekong River water level is currently rising, but it has not yet reached the high caution level in any province. In Stung Treng, the water level stands at 8.25 meters, while the caution level is 10.70 meters, he said. 

In the coming days, NCDM hopes the residents, authorities, and partners will be alert to the rising flood as the rain continues. 

In Kratie province, the river has reached 18.45 meters, compared to the caution level of 22 meters. In Kampong Cham province, the water level is 11.96 meters, still below the caution level of 15.20 meters.

In Kampong Thom province, floods hit five districts and 14 communes, affecting 2,208 families, damaging 287 houses, forcing five families to evacuate, and inundating 1,858 hectares of rice fields. 

In Prey Veng province, three districts and nine communes were affected, with 93 hectares of rice fields damaged. In Banteay Meanchey province, floods spread across three districts and three communes, damaging 1,057 hectares of rice fields.

In Ratanakiri province, two districts and five communes were affected, with 1,194 families impacted, 578 houses damaged, and 2,961 hectares of rice fields inundated. In Mondulkiri province, one district and six communes were affected, with 325 families impacted and 287 houses damaged.

In Stung Treng province, flooding affected one district and four communes, impacting 381 families, damaging 20 houses, and flooding 78 hectares of rice fields. In Kratie province, one district and three communes were affected, with 85 families impacted and 287 houses damaged. 

In Siem Reap province, nine districts and 33 communes were hit, affecting 3,671 families and damaging 3,671 houses.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology advises the public to remain alert for heavy rain and strong winds, as the 20th storm, named Typhoon Bualoi (T2520), is expected to affect the country between September 26 and 29. 

The storm will affect the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, Prey Veng, Kandal, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Stung Treng, Kratie, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep.​The sea waves will be larger by 0.5 meters for the minimum average and the maximum average of 2.5 meters.