Flood-ravaged areas in Banteay Meanchey province’s O’Chrov district. Supplied
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the distribution of non-seasonal rice seeds and six types of vegetable seeds to farmers whose crops were affected by flooding.
Each family will get 100kg to restore family viability after floodwaters receded.
Hun Sen made the announcement while visiting flood-ravaged areas and distributing first aid to families in Banteay Meanchey province’s O’Chrov district on October 24.
He urged local officials to collect statistics on cultivated areas of rice and cash crops that have been damaged by floods.
“The government has prepared 2,000 tonnes of non-seasonal rice seeds to provide only to families whose rice has been damaged, with each family receiving 100kg. For those who do not grow rice, the government will provide six types of seeds to grow crops,” he said.
The government keeps 10,000 tonnes of rice seeds, 5,000 tonnes of rice and 50 tonnes of vegetable seeds in stock to be ready for disaster responses to floods and droughts.
The prime minister urged relevant ministries and institutions to pay close attention to the rehabilitation of flood-damaged infrastructure, including national roads, provincial roads and irrigation systems, after the flood situation eases.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport secretary of state Pal Chandara told The Post on October 25 that the public works department’s road repair team is inspecting and assessing the impact of the floods.
“The work ahead is to intervene to dig canals to release water from flooded areas as soon as possible to prevent more damage to roads,” he said.
Chandara said officials are cooperating to dig canals to release water from Battambang town and other sections of some national roads, including provincial road number 1TK1 in Takeo province, part of provincial road number 2PVH2 in Preah Vihear province’s Choam Ksan district, and part of National Road 4 in Kampong Speu province.
A plan is also in place to open a floodgate on National Road 6 in Kampong Kdei commune, in Siem Reap province’s Chi Kraeng district.
According to the National Committee for Disaster Management flood data released on October 24, the floods resulted in 40 deaths, with the most, 23, in Banteay Meanchey province.
Nationwide, 545,768 people were impacted by the floods and 47,352 people had to be evacuated to safety.
Floodwaters also inundated 925 schools, affecting the education of tens of thousands of students and inundated 305 pagodas. More than 270,000ha of rice and 88,779ha of cash crops were damaged. Floods also damaged 2,301km of national, provincial, and rural roads.
