September 2, 2025
PHNOM PENH – More than 10 communes across four provinces have been struck by flooding following several days of heavy rain. This included more than 300 households in Siem Reap province, though officials say the damage has not been severe.
Soth Kimkolmony, spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), noted on Monday, September 1, that in recent days, heavy rainfall has been recorded across the country. It has caused flooding in several areas, particularly in Samlot district of Battambang, as well as in Siem Reap, Kratie and Pailin provinces. However, he added, the floodwaters have started to subside as water flows into canals and lakes.
“As of now, the water level has dropped somewhat, since officials opened floodgates to release water into the Tonle Sap Lake. Four provinces were affected by flooding, but the situation is not considered major — water rose and then flowed back into canals, without causing serious damage,” he said.
He added that if heavy rains continue, more areas could face flooding, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent serious impacts.
Still, more than 300 houses and some infrastructure in four districts of Siem Reap have been affected, according to the Siem Reap provincial information department.
Three days of consecutive rainfall, from August 29 to 31, caused flooding in 41 villages across Siem Reap, damaging houses, schools, hospitals, pagodas and other infrastructure. The hardest-hit areas were Angkor Chum district (5 communes), Chi Kreng district (2 communes), Prasat Bakong district (3 communes) and Puok district (2 communes).
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology explained that the effects of Tropical Storm Nongfa have strengthened the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rainfall across the Indochina Peninsula, including the Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Mekong Basin, South China Sea and Cambodia. Cambodia, it noted, is not within the storm’s direct path.
Still, the ministry warned that the situation would result in heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms and squalls from August 30 to September 3, especially in the provinces of Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri, Stung Treng, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, the Dangrek Mountains and the Cardamom Mountain range.
Meanwhile, coastal areas, including Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep, are forecast to see rough seas, with swell ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 metres.