PURSAT: The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology announced heavy rains for Cambodia from September 23-30 and so far the rains have resulted in significant flooding in multiple provinces, causing damage to infrastructure and a prized cafe.

On September 27 a beloved tourist attraction in Pursat province, the Phnom Café, was completely swept away by floodwaters as the owner looked on helplessly.

Cafe owner, Phann Vireakboth, expressed his sadness in a Facebook post. "In just 20 minutes, the force of the flood completely swept away the cafe and all the equipment!" he said. He went on to note his cafe’s contribution to the community, "Phnom Café in Veal Veng district, for 3 years you have actively contributed to the development of the community of Phnom 1500 to have economic flow, especially in the tourism sector for Pursat. Business is now suspended a short time because it was badly damaged by floods."

The director of the Pursat Provincial Department of Water Resources said that floodwaters have not reached disaster emergency levels, but that authorities are prepared for search and rescue efforts.

About 300 kilometers south in Preah Sihanouk Province, water rose to half a meter at a section of National Road No. 4 near the Stung Samrong Bridge in Kampong Seila District. The same stretch of road was closed due to flooding at the end of July, when flooding was so bad that over 1,000 residential and public buildings flooded in Kampot.

Preah Sihanouk authorities announced the next day that the road had been reopened to traffic.