Flooding has worsened in parts of Cambodia after further heavy rain in the country and dam releases in bordering parts of Thailand.
Cambodia’s National Committee for Disaster Management said on 17 October that flooding that began in early October has now affected over 240,000 people in 71 districts of 19 of the country’s 25 provinces and autonomous regions. At least 20 people have lost their lives.
The affected provinces are: Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kandal, Koh Kong, Mondulkiri, Pailin, Pursat, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Siem Reap and Takeo provinces, and the autonomous municipality and capital, Phnom Penh.
Almost 60,000 houses have been damaged, and over 26,000 people from nearly 8,000 families evacuated. Thousands of hectares of rice and other crops have also been damaged.
According to local media reports, Thmar Puok and Svay Chek districts along the border beteween Banteay Meanchey province and Thailand “have flooded due to the opening of the Huai Yang dam sluice gates in Thailand”.
