Flash floods hit Cambodia's NW province, affecting about 3,000 families

Xinhua | 2012-9-19

About 3,000 families in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province bordering with Thailand have been suffering from floodwaters and local authorities have been advised to be on high alert to respond to the disaster, a senior government official said Wednesday.

"About 700 families who are severely affected by the flooding have been evacuated to higher ground," the first Vice-President of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), Nhim Vanda told Xinhua over telephone.

"They are all safe, there is no report of death so far," he said. "Local authorities and Cambodian Red Cross volunteers are on high alert to rescue people in case of more flooding."

Cambodia warns of possible flash floods in 13 provinces

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on Monday warned of heavy rains throughout this week and said some 13 provinces out of the country's 24 cities and provinces could suffer from flash floods.

"Over the past two weeks, a low pressure system has gone through and impacted Cambodia, causing rains and thunderstorms," according to an announcement on weather conditions on Monday.

The announcement, signed by the Minister Lim Kean Hor, said that the bad weather will continue influencing Cambodia for another week.

Nom Benh after the rain... Flood! Flood! Flood!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6451TzUcgu0

CEDAC’s News Article: CEDAC introduces six important ideas to farmers in preparatio​n for this year’s rainy season

Flooding Brings Additional Danger of Disease: Doctor

Local villagers wait on boats to receive flood donations at Prek Sussey, Kandal province, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011. More than a thousand families in a part of Kandal province Tuesday have received the China-funded flood donations from a group of the National Committee for Disaster Management. (Photo: AP)

Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

“The risks of malaria and dengue fever increase six to eight weeks after the flooding.”

Cambodia is undergoing its worst flooding in a decade. The floodwater has inundated homes and farmland, killing hundreds and displacing thousands of people. And aside from the immediate damage, a disaster of this scale can also mean the transmission of numerous diseases, a US-based doctor said Thursday.

Click here to listen to Nuch Sarita hosts 'Hello VOA' 20 October, 2011 (MP3)

Floods can carry water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis and hepatitis A, Taing Tek Hong, a Florida-based physician, told “Hello VOA.”

“Direct contact with polluted waters can cause wound infection, skin rashes, inflammation in the eyes, ears, nose, and throat infections,” he said.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Mekong

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Asia's wet and wild summer explained

Thai mahouts ride their elephants through the flooded Ayutthaya streets on October 10, 2011.

Wed October 12, 2011
By David Challenger, CNN

(CNN) -- Is this just a normal year, or is the southwest monsoon acting more aggressively than normal?

The 2011 tropical cyclone season in the west Pacific has been about average, not significantly above or below usual events. We did have a few consecutive storms that made landfall in the Philippines and other parts of South East Asia in late September and early October, such as Haitang, Nesat, and Nalgae -- but that had more to do with a steering pattern caused by high pressure over the Pacific, not the monsoon. The remnants of these storms did make their way farther into South East Asia, which likely enhanced the monsoon trough, thus leading to higher than average rainfall in countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Rainfall in most of Thailand is running 15% to 25% above average for the year (with a vast majority of that rain coming in the monsoon months of May to October).

What exactly is the southwest monsoon? When does it start, end, and how is it generated?

The southwest monsoon occurs during the northern hemisphere summer, and is caused by the land masses of the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia heating up faster than the Indian Ocean. This creates an influx of cooler, moisture-laden air from the ocean over the land. The southwest monsoon generally begins in mid-May and ends in late October/early November, though start and end times vary based on location. India, for example, has a southwest monsoon season that begins June 1 and ends September 30.

Water level in the Mekong basin starts to recede

High water level on the Mekong River (Photo: Reuters)

27 September 2011
By Leang Deluxe
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Soch

An official from the ministry of Water Resources claimed that water level in the Mekong River has started to recede even though spotty rainfalls are still taking place among provinces located next to the Mekong River. Although the water level receding is good news, the ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology is still following up on the evolution of Typhoon Nesat which is now extending over the Philippines. Will this typhoon affect Cambodia?

Water levels at Stung Treng, Kratie and Kampong Cham provinces are starting to recede. The water level at Chaktokmouk point in Phnom Penh remained unchanged at 10.81m for one day, but it has started to lower in the evening of 27 September, according to Chan Yutha, the director of the department of Water Resources and Meteorology.

Chan Yutha told RFI today that, based on the situation of the water level along the Mekong River, concerns will still remain in the upcoming days at a time when flood water has affected so many areas already. He indicated that 180,000-hectare of crops were flooded, 50,000-hectare of which will see permanent crop damage. 61 people died from flooding and several thousands of families were evacuated to higher grounds.

Rain, rain go away... Phnom Penh on 16 Sept. 2011, late afternoon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiXnMLcAKYQ

Cambodia launches campaign to mark national day against dengue

June 20, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) – Cambodia launched a large-scale campaign here on Monday to mark the national day against dengue fever as the country's annual rainy season came.

The event was jointly launched by Minister of Health Mam Bunheng and Minister of Education Im Sithy, and participated by government officials, representatives of World Health Organization, relevant stakeholders and some 500 students.

Speaking during the launching, Mam Bunheng said that the celebration was to promote awareness among the public and to encourage them to join together to prevent dengue fever.

Cambodia: Pray For Rain

A Cambodian man with face painted as ghost to rid evil spirits from their village takes part in a march during a ceremony to pray for rain amid the rice planting season at Pring Ka-ek village, about 20 kilometers (13 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 6, 2011. Cambodia is a country which heavily relies on agriculture as over 80 percent of its 14.3 million people are farmers. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

The Mekong water level could rise up to 10.15 m

26 May 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Mao Hak, the deputy director in charge of technical issues and director of the water department of the ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, said on 24 May 2011 that, based on preliminary prediction, the level of the Mekong River at the Bassac River measuring station during this rainy season could reach up to a level of 10.15m, i.e. an indication of major flooding. During the rainy season of 2010, the level of the Mekong River raised only to 8.45m, i.e. a minor level of flooding. Mao Hak indicated that the number of typhoons in the region would be less than average, i.e. between 20 to 22 typhoons. Currently, Sonda, the second typhoon of the year, is active in the Pacific ocean, but it does not affect Cambodia.

Dengue officials brace for "nightmare season"

May 17, 2011

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (IRIN) – As Cambodia enters its dengue season, with outbreaks in four out of 24 provinces, the National Dengue Control Programme (NDCP) is warning that a repeat of the 2007 epidemic – when about 40,000 people were hospitalized, more than 10,000 in one week – may be imminent.

“Based on my experience, I see the same pattern as 2007 emerging now,” said To Setha, a vector control specialist at the NDCP, pointing to the higher number of cases than usual during the final months of last year and the first two months of this year.

Rekul Huy, chief of epidemiology at the NDCP, is also alarmed by the high number of cases during months when dengue is usually rare.

CEDAC is calling farmers to start planting crops in their rice fields

Dear All, 

As the rain is now starting to fall in almost every where in Cambodia to start the rainy season faster than the last few years, CEDAC is calling farmers to start planting crops in their rice fields as much as possible before start planting rice.

Dr. Yang Saing Koma, CEDAC's President, stated that by doing this, farmers will gain a lot of benefits such as the extra products, extra incomes and the improved fertilizer for their rice field.

For more details, please see the attached Press Release in Khmer. Thanks and kind regards,

Him Khortieth
......................
Communication Officer
Centre d' Etude et de Développement
Agricole Cambodgien (CEDAC)
No. 119, Street 257, Sangkat Toek Laak 1,
Khan Toul Kork
B.P. 1118 Phnom Penh
H/P: 855-16-57-57-13
Tel : 855- 23-880-916
Fax : 855-23-885-146
E-mail: himkhortieth@cedac.org.kh
www.cedac.org.kh

Cambodia gov't appeals the public to fight against dengue fever

PHNOM PENH, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian government alerted Tuesday to take more precaution on dengue fever as rainy season starts in the country.

Mam Bunheng, minister of health appealed Tuesday to parents and guardians across the country, especially in rural areas to take more precaution on the eruption of dengue fever as rainy starts.

The appeal was made at a campaign against dengue fever held at Baktouk High School in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

"I would like to appeal to all people, especially, the parents and guardians to take more precaution by cleaning up your own houses, properly throwing or burning the wastes and avoiding any existence of disposal water where can be the shelter of water worm and mosquito," he appealed.

He said there were 11,699 cases of dengue fever in 2009, of which 38 people have died of the disease.

However, he said, the number of reported cases by the dengue fever reduced by half compared with previous year.

Mam Bunheng also appealed to donor countries and development partners to continue helping Cambodia in the fight against dengue fever.

Rainy season starts from May through October during which newly born mosquito may deliver several diseases, including dengue fever and malaria, especially among children.

Flash floods hit Thai-Cambodian border markets, checkpoints

BANGKOK, Oct 9 (TNA) - Flash floods from the hills along Thai-Cambodian border in Thailand’s eastern provinces poured into the market at a checkpoint for border trade between the two neighbouring countries, more than 200 vendors were affected by the inundation which caused damage estimated at over Bt30 million (US$850,000).

Runoff floods from Cambodia’s Phnom Preuk hill in Battambang province and Khao Ta Ngok in Thailand's Sa Kaeo province combined with flash flooding from Khao Soi Dao in Chanthaburi which flowed into the Thai-Cambodian checkpoint for border trade at Ban Sub Taree and at Ban Suan Som in Soi Dao district of Chanthaburi.

The markets at both checkpoints were submerged, with border traders rushing to transfer their goods and products to higher ground as the water level is likely to continue to rise.

Flash floods also hit the 522th Marine Company base near the border.

There were no reports of casualties.

Water ride in Phnom Penh

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - A Cambodian motor-taxi man drives through a flooded street, carrying two customers. AP Photo/Heng Sinith.

Flood water receding in Kampot province

Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Flood water in Kampot province has started to recede back in the evening of 07 September. As of 08 September, the city of Kampot is no longer under flood water. Electricity was available in some part of the provinces on 07 September, but in the morning of 08 September, electricity is available in the entire province. Furthermore, traffic along National Road No. 3 is now returning to normal also. As of 3PM on 08 September, traffic along National Road No. 4 at Kampong Seila district, Preah Sihanouk province, has returned to normal also after the flood water receded back out.

He rides a motorcyle, wears black clothes and has a red scarf: A KR kammaphibal (cadre) visiting Kampot?

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen talks to flood-affected villagers during his visit to Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is greeted by flood-affected villagers during his visit to Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) walks through flood-waters during his visit to Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen greets the crowd as he visits flood-affected Kamport province in Cambodia September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen rides a motorbike during his visit to flood-affected Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer

Flash floods kill eight Cambodians

September 8, 2009
AP

A torrential storm and flash floods killed at least eight people, including six children, Cambodian officials said on Tuesday.

Three girls and a boy, aged between 14 and 18, were killed on Sunday when they were swept out to sea while swimming in a heavy storm in Preah Sihanouk province, in the southeast of the country, said the province's deputy police chief Yim Bunnath.

In nearby Kampot province, two men were killed by flash floods, said the province's deputy governor Soth Ya. Another 1,500 people were evacuated on Monday to higher ground, he said.

In Kampong Cham province in the east, a six-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl drowned on Sunday while swimming in a pond during heavy rain, the Khmer-language newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea reported on Tuesday.

Parts of the Cambodian countryside are now flooded because of seasonal monsoon rain.