PHNOM PENH, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Wednesday told the authorities at all levels to prepare for Mekong flooding that is expected to hit some provinces in coming days.
The Southeast Asian nation is suffering from the impact of three natural phenomena, namely a depression, tropical storm Kajiki and southwest monsoon, he said in a directive, adding that these phenomena have caused heavy rainfall in some provinces.
“The heavy rainfall will result in a high and fast rise in the water level in the Mekong River, and the Mekong River water will reach a level that causes flooding in some provinces along it,” the prime minister said.
According to the weather forecast, he said, the water levels in the Mekong River in Stung Treng, Kratie, and Kampong Cham provinces will rise higher than the alarm levels, starting from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10.
“Based on the weather and water level forecasts, the government would like to advise the ministries and institutions concerned as well as the authorities to take necessary measures to prepare for this flooding disaster,” Hun Sen said.
He added that saving people’s lives and maximally reducing damages to their properties must be the most important tasks.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology also warned of heavy rainfall and strong wind at sea from Sept. 3 to Sept. 10 and advised maritime travelers and fishermen to be extra-vigilant in order to avoid any possible dangers.
“For coastal provinces, especially Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong, there will be moderate-to-heavy rainfall,” Lim Keanhor, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, said in a statement. “On the maritime space, the sky will be gloomy, and there will be rain with strong wind and high waves.”
