Cambodia flooding death toll approaches 100

Sep 26, 2011
DPA

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Nearly 100 people in Cambodia died in weather-related incidents in the worst floods in a decade, officials said Monday.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said more than 100,000 families had been affected by flooding and around 40,000 hectares of rice fields inundated.

'The focus right now is on emergency food,' he said. 'And on relief centres where people can resettle.'

He said 77 deaths had been reported in four provinces, with 'at least 97 dead' nationwide. The government expects more heavy rain for the next three days.

The centre of Cambodia's tourism capital Siem Reap - home to the Ankor Wat temple complex - was underwater Monday after the city's river burst its banks.

Helicopters were used to lift around 200 tourists from the Banteay Srei temple after floodwaters cut the access road Thursday.

Cambodia's rainy season typically runs from June until October.