PHNOM PENH, Oct 18 (NNN-AKP) – Flash floods in Cambodia so far left 20 people dead and forced the evacuation of 26,608 people, Seak Vichet, a spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said yesterday.
Tropical storm-triggered rains caused floods in 19 of the kingdom’s 25 cities and provinces, since the beginning of the month, he said, adding that, 245,428 people have also been affected.
“As of yesterday evening, the floods have killed 20 people,” Vichet said, adding that the worst-hit provinces included Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Kandal, as well as, south-western suburb of Phnom Penh.
The floods have also submerged 59,268 houses and 242,372 hectares of rice and other crops, the spokesman said.
Water Resources and Meteorology Minister, Lim Keanhor, said, further rain, wind, and high waves are forecast from Oct 17-19, as the kingdom is suffering from the impact of tropical storm Saudel, which could lead to further flooding.
Floods usually hit Cambodia between Aug and Oct. Last year, Mekong River and flash floods claimed 30 lives, as storms killed eight people and injured 131 others, according to the NCDM.
