At least 37 people have died and nearly 380,000 have been forced from their homes by flooding, while a government meteorologist warned that it could get worse today.
More rain and windy conditions are expected today in coastal and northeastern areas of the country, including Stung Treng, Ratanakkiri, Mondolkiri and Kratie provinces.
Seth Vannareth, director of the meteorology department at the Ministry of Water Resources, warned fishermen and people traveling by boat to beware of rough seas today. Waves could get as high as 1.5 meters. She said weather conditions are expected to improve Friday.
Most of those killed were children, according to the National Committee on Disaster Management. Eighteen people have died in Kompong Cham province; two in Kandal, four in Kratie, 11 in Prey Veng and two in Svay Rieng, officials said. An estimated 74,000 people face food shortages related to the flooding, officials said. According to The Associated Press, government officials are preparing formal requests to aid organizations for food, tarpaulins, medicine and clothing.
Two bridges along National Route 6 were swept away by high water Tuesday night, cutting off road traffic between Phnom Penh and Kompong Cham, Kompong Thom and Siem Reap.
Tep Nonnry, governor of Kandal province, said traffic near the bridge in Mok Kompoul district is being diverted to the Prek Kdam ferry, which links National Route 5 to 6. Late Wednesday, at least 2,000 cars and trucks were lined up near the Prek Dam ferry, waiting to cross. Officials said the ferry would run all night to keep traffic moving. Roads on both sides of the river were washed out in many places. Tep Nonnry said another ferry may be put in service near the collapsed bridge today.
Disaster officials estimate damage to roads, rice paddies, livestock and buildings at about $15 million. They say the flooding is not as bad as last year, when 347 people died and damage totaled $161 million.
In Phnom Penh Tuesday, King Norodom Sihanouk distributed food inside the Royal Palace to 140 flood victims, saying he was “greatly concerned” about the flooding.
According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as many as 150 have died and 530,000 have been affected by floods across the Mekong River basin region. (Additional reporting by Phann Ana)
which includes Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
(Additional reporting by Phann Ana)
