Floods wreak havoc in Cambodia

A flooded area in Cambodia's Battambang province on October 10 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

 Floods have continued to wreak havoc in Cambodia, with the death toll already reaching 16.

Spokesman of the Cambodian Interior Ministry Khieu Sopheak said on October 12 that five more people died from drowning in Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Banteay Meanchey, Kandal, and Kampong Thom provinces.

The country’s National Committee for Disaster Management confirmed 16 deaths as a result of floods in more than one week.

Meanwhile, 10 provinces are hard-hit by the floods, including Pailin, Preah Vihear, Kampong Chhnang, Stung Treng, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Siem Reap, Pursat, Kampong Thom and Kampong Speu.

Battambang and Pursat authorities said their provinces have suffered from the most damage. Local authorities are cooperating with police to evacuate all affected residents to a safe place.

The Interior Ministry noted that an additional 80 tonnes of rice have been delivered to people affected by the floods in Battambang.

Authorities at all levels in Cambodia were advised to monitor the situation, facilitate announcements about flooded roads, suspend travel, and install warning signs to prevent possible accidents.

As many as 24,666 houses and over 70,000ha  of rice fields and subsidiary crops have been destroyed, without inundated school buildings, roads and bridges counted, according to Spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management Khun Sokha./.

VNA