Preah Sihanouk officials have called on fishermen and boat owners not to go out to sea or transport tourists over the next three days as a typhoon looms.

The call comes after the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology forecast on Friday that an active low-pressure area had formed in the South China Sea and evolved into a tropical storm reaching Cambodia.

The storm pattern has increased to become Typhoon Sinlaku, the third one this year. It will pass through Hainan Island before reaching northern Vietnam on Sunday. The southwest monsoon will speed up and blow into Cambodia.

The effects from the storm will be a lot of rain, with some areas around the Dangrek mountain range, the northeast plateau and coastal areas suffering floods.

Coastal areas will witness strong winds and large waves that can endanger fishermen and other boaters.

Preah Sihanouk provincial Hall spokesman Kheang Phearum told The Post on Sunday that rain continued to fall in the province.

Large waves and strong winds sank three tourist boats docked at Koh Rong town on Koh Rong Sanloem.

“But there were no passengers on the three boats. At this time boat service owners and local authorities are helping to tow boats back,” he said.

Phearum said a tourist boat carrying 15 people sank at Koh Rong on Saturday, but passengers were rescued by the coast guard working for Oknha Tea Vichet and local fishermen.

“Due to this, the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration has appealed to the shipping companies, boats, tourists, residents and fishermen to suspend water travel during this period if not necessary,” Phearum said.

Residents living in Prey Nop district’s Choeung Kor commune at the intersection of the 5th and 8th bridges reported bridge collapses due to heavy rain on Saturday, and police have banned traffic on that road.

Phearum said it was decided for safety reasons to temporarily close traffic on a section of the road to allow public works and transport officials to study and repair it.

People travelling from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk province are advised to use National Road 4, and avoid travelling by road to Stung Hav.