Latest government figures from Cambodia illustrate the devastating affect the recent floods have had on the country.
At an announcement made earlier today, 10th October 2013, Senior Minister H.E. Nhim Vanda, First Vice President of the National Committee for Disaster Management said that:
- At least 104 people have died as a result of the recent floods
- As many as 1.5 million people have been affected
- A total of 20 of Cambodia’s 24 provinces have suffered from flooding
- The provinces around Tonle Sap Great Lake, and Pailin are the worst hit
- Only Kampot, Kep, Kampong Speu and Preah Sihanoukville have escaped the floods)
- 400 km of roads, including 100km of national roads, have been damaged
- Around 250,000 hectares of rice paddy flooded
Cambodia harvest almost 3 million hectares of rice paddy per year, producing around 8.5 million tons. Potentially losing a quarter of a million hectares of production will have a big impact on the country’s economy and food supplies.
Sadly the current flood situation appears to be very similar to the 2011 floods in Cambodia, also in October, which cost the country around over $500 million and killed as many as 250 people.
Below are 2 photos showing an aerial view of the Mekong River floods in Cambodia in 2011. The photos are courtesy of Cambodian Beginnings
Source: AKP
