Some 1,000 hectares of rice fields in Prey Veng province have been completely destroyed by flooding and thousands more are at risk elsewhere, according to Keo Vy, spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management.

Vy said yesterday that the floods, caused by two weeks of heavy rain, have damaged homes, fields and even roads.

“One thousand hectares of seeding in Preah Sdech district, Prey Veng province, are completely damaged,” he said, adding that they will not yield any crops.

Vy said that 10,000 hectares of rice seeding in Tbong Khmum province and 813 hectares in Kampong Chhnang province are also flooded and in danger of being completely destroyed if water levels don’t drop soon. Sections of four roads in Tbong Khmum, including parts of national roads 11 and 7, have also been temporarily closed, he added.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on Wednesday forecasted continued heavy rains nationwide until October 17, warning that Tbong Khmum, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kandal, Kampong Speu and Preah Sihanouk provinces are all at serious risk of flooding.