The Mekong water level has risen sharply due to continuous rain amid storms, causing homes, roads, schools, hospitals and pagodas in several provinces along the river to become flooded, and requiring the evacuation of people to safe areas.
According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on September 17, Mekong River, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac hydrological stations recorded rising water levels. It has urged relevant ministries and institutions, local authorities and people located near these areas to take extra precaution to avoid accidents.
Between September 17 and 19, Cambodia will be affected by the 13th typhoon Bibinka and 14th typhoon Pulasan, which developed in the same orbit, the ministry said. Strong southwest monsoon winds will blow over the Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand as low pressure continues to cover the central Mekong Basin, South China Sea and Cambodia.
Due to the storm, lowlands and highlands will experience thunderstorms covering around 60% of the land. The coastal areas will be hit by heavy rain due to thunderstorms with winds of up to 40% while the sea level will rise from 1.5 meters to 2.25 meters.
A short video posted by residents of Anchanh village, Da commune, Chit Borey district in Kratie province showed flooding of roads, bridges, schools and pagoda. Villagers were also seen packing their essential items, some transporting things on motorbikes and others leaving on ko yun (tractor) to safe places.
The villagers said this was the first time their village was flooded, with the river rising to 19.84 meters. The danger level is 22 meters.
Chit Borey district governor Yin Vannak told CamboJA News that the Mekong river level has not reached an alarming level yet. The flood is caused by the rain and storms, which resulted in flooding in several areas in Chit Borey district.
A meeting has been organized by Vannak to collect information and data of households affected by the flood, he said. Although the water level has not reached an alarming level yet, the authorities are already prepared to assist people.
“We don’t have any reports of damage yet because we are meeting to inspect the actual [flood] location,” Vannak said. “This flood was caused by the rain and storm. When it rains, water flows to the reservoir slowly. Therefore, this flood is caused by the [rise in the] Mekong River [level].”
Vannak said the flooding in Chit Borey district affected five communes, which are Da commune, Bos Leav commune, Kantuot commune, Thmey commune and Sambok commune. He confirmed that the authorities have not evacuated people because the flooding of the roads and houses, pagoda and commune hospital was only “slight”.
In case of emergency, the authorities are ready to rescue the people but it has not reached a level that requires intervention yet. Compared to the Mekong River level, which is 19.84 meters, the emergency water level is 22 meters, Vannak reiterated.
National Committee for Disaster Management spokesperson Soth Kimkolmony told CamboJA News that as of September 17, Da commune in Chit Borey district, Kratie province, and Stung Hav district, Preah Sihanouk province, were flooded due to the heavy downpour throughout the night.
“In Da commune, Chit Borey district, Kratie province, the flood on September 17 was not caused by the Mekong River. In Stung Hav district, Preah Sihanouk province, there was a lot of rain, which flooded the area,” he said.
He added that the authorities had the situation under control because they had prepared in advance. There were no casualties, although the exact number of victims was still unknown because the situation has not reached an alarming level. “So, we don’t have a report yet.”
The Mekong River Commission said between September 17 and 21, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast in the central part of the Lower Mekong Basin, such as Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng and Ratanakiri.
Korn Samdon from Koh Sneng village, Borey O’Svay Senchey District, Stung Treng province, said she was very worried about the floods because it was difficult for people to travel and evacuate to safety, although there is already a safe place identified in Koh Sneng village.
Samdon added that the authorities had posted a notice about the river level on the information board and told people to be careful and prepare rescue equipment in case of flooding.
Lum Serey Kut, a water resources and meteorologist in Stung Treng province, told CamboJA News that the water level in the Mekong River had not reached the level of emergency.
However, if the water level in the Mekong River rises to 11.3 meters, “it is time to declare a state of emergency”. There are three stations, including Stung Treng station, where the dangerous water level was 10.70 meters, Sesan station (9.90 meters) and Siem Pang station (11.50 meters).
“So, the water level has not reached that level yet,” he said.
