PHNOM PENH: Residents of the capital’s Dangkor district have been caught up in flooding. At least six communes are experiencing severe flooding due to heavy rainfall and the release of water from the dam in Kampong Speu. The rainfall and the released water from the dam have all led to a sharp rise in the level of the Prek Tnort river.

Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district, Chou Kim Sor, has warned residents to be extra vigilant with water levels continuing to rise. The river has burst its banks, swamping at least six communes. They are Dangkor, Prek Kampoes, Sak Sampov, Tien, Kongnoy and Spean Thmar.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology issued an alert on Monday that the current weather situation may result in flooding in 13 provinces and the capital. It says that there is an active low-pressure system in the South China Sea which will develop into a typhoon, reaching southern Vietnam on Wednesday, before affecting Cambodia in the days that follow.

Local authorities, along with the National Committee for Disaster Management, are now preparing to evacuate the most affected families of Dangkor district, while provincial governments across the country continue to monitor their areas of responsibility in case rescue operations are needed.

^{PHOTO: SARY}