KhmerTimes-Sept 30, 2024
As of September 27, 2024, floods have severely impacted agricultural land across seven provinces in Cambodia, affecting both rice and other essential crops. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries spokeswoman Im Rachna outlined the extent of the damage, naming Kratie, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, and Siem Reap as the hardest-hit provinces. Rice crops were particularly affected, with 12,008 hectares of paddy fields submerged. Additionally, 449 hectares of mixed food crops and 822 hectares of economic crops have been affected by the floods. During a cabinet meeting last Friday, Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered the General Command of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the National Police to prepare forces, equipment, and other essential resources for flood rescue operations. He stressed the importance of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) working closely with provincial governors to ensure safety zones are established and intervention efforts are in place. The Ministry of Economy and Finance has been instructed to allocate food supplies and necessary resources for relief efforts, while the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology was tasked with closely monitoring water levels and coordinating timely interventions. Rasmey, Head of Water Resources Management and Meteorology for Kratie and Stung Treng provinces, reported that key water management systems in Kratie are at full capacity. The Boeng Mlich reservoir in Chhloung district has reached 100% capacity, so has the Seda dam in Bos Leav commune, Chit Borey district. As of September 26, 2024, a total of 8,258 hectares of land in Kratie province had been submerged, with 5,785 hectares destroyed, but experts noted that 5,460 hectares still have restoration potential due to availability of sufficient water resources. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501567723/severe-flooding-devastates-crops-across-7-provinces/
