PHNOM PENH: Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions and Deputy Chairman of the Mine Authority, Ly Thuch, instructed demining specialists to inform people living in flood-prone areas to be careful of mines and unexploded ordnance that may be found due to landslides or overflow during floods and the subsequent receding.

His instructions were directed at specialists from the Capital and Provincial Mine Action Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the General Commission of the National Police, who were given specifics on how to respond to the potential risk to the public caused by recent flooding.

He asked residents to report any suspected objects to local authorities, village chiefs, commune chiefs or mine clearance specialists if found. He advised demining specialists to respond in a timely manner to collect and destroy any unexploded ordnance reported by residents.

He said that markers must be put up immediately to deter people from passing through areas suspected of having landmines and explosive remnants of war that could have been dug up by flowing water and sediment.

He ordered the authorities to prepare and produce educational content to disseminate to the public regarding dangers posed by unexploded ordnance during and after the floods.