Flash floods have struck the Run Ta Ek development area in Siem Reap province’s Banteay Srei district, affecting 190 homes. The sudden deluge created chaos, though no casualties were reported.

The commune and district authorities swiftly joined forces with an engineering team to tackle the flooding.

“We resolved the flood immediately by cleaning sewers and making canals to release water without leaving the water clogged for a long time, affecting the lives of the people,” said Run Ta Ek commune chief Chhuon Im.

According to Im, the heavy rains that led to the flash floods had recently inundated 190 houses in the area.

“Since the floods, some houses have been inundated, but others have not. In total, I have been notified of 190 houses affected in different areas, with varying numbers affected in each location, sometimes 10 or 20. We have now addressed the situation. The flood lasted for two or three days, and the water has now receded,” she said.

Im also detailed the ongoing development in the area, including the construction of roads, police station, schools and a pagoda, all of which are at varying stages of completion.

She noted that while the infrastructure is progressing, the area’s population has also grown, adding complexity to the situation.

Yan Sopheap, a 30-year-old resident of Run Ta Ek, praised the development in the area but acknowledged the impact of the floods.

“The flooding occurred because the land is hilly. The effects varied, with some higher, lower, and ground-level areas being spared, almost as if by luck. The flood didn’t last long. Within just a few days, the water receded, thanks to our drainage system,” she said.

Sopheap also highlighted the current lack of job opportunities within the development area, forcing residents to travel to the city to find work.

“There have been no reports of the creation of a factory or workplace where we can transfer jobs from the Angkor park to this area,” she added.

The Run Ta Ek residents have chosen to relocate from within the protected Angkor Archaeological Park with promises of development in the area that they now call home.

In Angkor Thom district’s Peak Sneng commune – now also home to those relocated from the

Angkor Park – further developments are underway, with more than 18km of concrete road connecting to Siem Reap town.

Vin Ren, first deputy chief of the commune, shared that roads inside the development area are being filled with land, and power lines are being installed.

Ren also spoke about ongoing infrastructure constructions such as schools, health centres, district halls, markets and pagodas.

“People have not yet moved in because the land plot is not ready,” he said.