Storm clouds move in over the Phnom Penh skyline last week. Hong Menea
Low-lying areas in Phnom Penh, provinces around the Tonle Sap Lake and the coastal provinces of Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong could experience flooding caused by heavy rains from September 6.
According to a weather forecast by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on September 3, Cambodia’s weather is being influenced by the Indian low pressure system from the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone with low pressure of 1,006 hectopascals, sea winds and the Dangrek Mountain range.
Coastal areas will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rains along with thunder and lightning, especially from September 6 to 11.
“According to these conditions, some low-lying areas may face heavy rain and flooding. People need to be more careful, especially in Phnom Pehn and the provinces of Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong and Kandal,” the ministry said.
The notice on weather conditions has prompted municipal and provincial authorities to take precautions to prevent and respond to the risks and dangers presented by potential flooding.
In Phnom Penh, relevant authorities have cooperate to dig through the Cheko Road and Royal Phnom Pehn Golf Club dam road to temporarily open the waterway to Kob Srov Lake and prevent flooding on National Road 4 in front of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Por Sen Chey district.
In Kandal province, governor Kong Sophorn said authorities had notified people of the closure of the Lou Mok Buon sluice gate and shutting a stretch of Dam Road 54 from Canal 90 to Canal 92 in Talong village of Kandal Stung district’s Boeung Khyang commune, to prevent floods affecting the construction of the first lane of the new Phnom Penh International Airport.
“Non-stop heavy rains caused flooding in the construction site of the new international airport. So, the technical team needed to close the sluice gate and temporarily shut a stretch of Dam Road 54 in the area so that the construction of the first lane of this large project can be completed as planned,” he said.
In Preah Sihanouk province, police chief Chuon Narin issued an order to the tourist police, water traffic police and the Koh Rong commune police chief to inform people and strengthen the port’s water safety operations, including monitoring changing weather conditions. They must be ready to act when incidents happen at sea.
“According to the ministry’s notice, during this time Preah Sihanouk may experience heavy rains that will cause flooding, strong winds, big sea waves, especially in the province’s archipelago. So please heed the advice of specialists to avoid any possible incidents,” he said.
He also said people should immediately call the Preah Sihanouk provincial police via the hotline 097 778 0008, Koh Rong police station via 011 200 331/ 016 436 696, Water Traffic Police Office via 081 500 619 or the Tourist Police Office via 081 500 614 when accidents happen while sightseeing and staying in the province.
