August 8, 2024
PHNOM PENH – Kampong Thom has been the hardest-hit province by the recent flash floods, with around 50 per cent of over 6,000 hectares of rice fields affected as of Wednesday, August 7.
According to the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), a total of 6,806 hectares of rice were impacted by flooding in one town and seven districts of the province. Of these, 3,274 hectares of rice belonging to 2,429 families across 21 communes and 98 villages were damaged.
“Of all the provinces, Kampong Thom has suffered the most so far and will continue to suffer because the water is not receding,” NCDM spokesperson Soth Kimkolmony said, adding that the crops in the area around Stung Sen town are the most affected, particularly rice.
According to Kimkolmony, the eight stricken areas include Stung Sen with 1,323 hectares impacted, Kampong Svay district with 2,045, Prasat Sambor with 706, Sandan with 509, Baray with 620, Santuk with 1,441, Stoung with 147 and Taing Kork district with 15 hectares affected.
He said at least 1,532 families have had their homes flooded, with 111 evacuating in Sandan and Prasat Sambor districts. Additionally, the flooding affected 2,079 animals, 18 schools, three bridges and 20,894 metres of road. However, he noted that the pagodas and hospitals remained unaffected.
NCDM first vice-president Kun Kim has been leading a team to inspect the situation. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina, along with relevant officials, also inspected flooding in the province on August 5.
The assessments aim to find measures to stop the water and save the farmers’ crops that are ripening and ready to be harvested but have suffered from severe flooding.
“In this situation, officials from the national level to the sub-national level, as well as commune agriculture officials with the provincial authorities, have made every effort to minimise the damage to people’s rice crops,” the ministry stated on its social media.
It noted that the minister examined the possibilities for government assistance to farmers facing natural disasters and cooperation with all relevant authorities to prevent further damage.
The ministry said some farmers are rushing to harvest their crops despite the floods, attempting to salvage part of their yield and partially mitigate financial losses, even though the rice is not yet fully mature.
About eight other provinces were also affected by the recent flash floods, but the situation in these areas was not as serious, as per the ministry.