PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered officials and armed forces to be ready to rescue thousands of villagers trapped by heavy floods that have already killed one person.
At least 300,000 people have been affected by the flooding caused by heavy rain in southwestern provinces earlier this week.
Worst-hit areas include the quiet coastal backwater of Kampot and parts of the popular beach town Sihanoukville, the head of the national disaster management committee, Nhim Vanda, told AFP Wednesday.
He said people were being taken to safe places but confirmed that one man in Kampot had been swept to his death while fishing in a stream.
"The floods are due to the rains which were caused by a storm in China," Nhim Vanda said.
In a speech broadcast on state-run television, Hun Sen ordered government officials and armed forces to be on high alert.
"I strongly order authorities and armed forces at all levels to do whatever work is needed in order to ensure that our people in the flooded areas receive good protection," Hun Sen said during a visit to flooded Kampot.
"If we are careless, a huge disaster could happen. Let's do whatever possible to save people's lives," he said, adding that the Ministry of Economy and Finance was preparing a budget to deal with the situation.
The rainfall also flooded a major road, disrupting traffic between Sihanoukville and the capital Phnom Penh, officials said.
No official casualty figures have been released.
At least 300,000 people have been affected by the flooding caused by heavy rain in southwestern provinces earlier this week.
Worst-hit areas include the quiet coastal backwater of Kampot and parts of the popular beach town Sihanoukville, the head of the national disaster management committee, Nhim Vanda, told AFP Wednesday.
He said people were being taken to safe places but confirmed that one man in Kampot had been swept to his death while fishing in a stream.
"The floods are due to the rains which were caused by a storm in China," Nhim Vanda said.
In a speech broadcast on state-run television, Hun Sen ordered government officials and armed forces to be on high alert.
"I strongly order authorities and armed forces at all levels to do whatever work is needed in order to ensure that our people in the flooded areas receive good protection," Hun Sen said during a visit to flooded Kampot.
"If we are careless, a huge disaster could happen. Let's do whatever possible to save people's lives," he said, adding that the Ministry of Economy and Finance was preparing a budget to deal with the situation.
The rainfall also flooded a major road, disrupting traffic between Sihanoukville and the capital Phnom Penh, officials said.
No official casualty figures have been released.
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