Banteay Meanchey: The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has issued a warning that Cambodia will be affected by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, a low-pressure system, from 22-26 September along the Dangrek mountain range, the natural border between Cambodia and Thailand. Floods have already inundated villages in Banteay Meanchey province.

The northwestern provinces will also be affected. Poipet city authorities said on Monday that for the past two consecutive days, rain and water from the border river with Thailand had caused flooding, affecting infrastructure and houses in Phsar Kandal and Poipet communes.

The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh says that the Nam Sai canal, which naturally separates the lower part of Sa Kaeo province with parts of Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey and Battambang provinces has overflowed due to the continuous rain. As the Cambodian side of the canal is at a lower elevation it has naturally into the country. The Embassy has stressed that there are no dams, reservoirs or water gates on the Thai side of the border that are close to the flooded areas on the Cambodian side. Thai authorities in the area are constantly monitoring the situation and are ready to provide assistance to parts of Cambodia that have been affected by the flooding.

The Poipet administration has assigned three commune working groups to prepare safe shelter for evacuating people who may be affected by the floods if the water continues to rise. It has also used machinery to widen canals in order to improve water flow and drainage to lakes. It would also reduce flooding to homes and the main roads. At least 40 families have been evacuated to safety. The Governor of Poipet appeals to the public, especially the people living along the Cambodian-Thai border to be vigilant to avoid any possible accidents.