Over 1,000 Cambodian families affected by Mekong River flood

Aug 12, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 families have been affected by floods in the upper part of the Mekong River in Cambodia so far, a senior government official said Friday.

Nhim Vanda, vice president of Cambodian National Committee for Disaster Management, said that since the flooding began last week, more than 1,000 families with about 5,000 villagers living in three provinces of Stung Treng, Kratie and Kampong Cham have been affected.

In addition to those affected, at least 6 schools have been closed and nearly 1,000 hectares of rice fields and cassava farms are also affected.

He said the figure is only a rough collection and the official one will be available sometime on Monday next week.

The water level in the country's upper part in Stung Treng province has risen to 10.88 meters by Friday morning, 0.63 meters exceeding the emergency level, he said.

Stung Treng is bordering with Laos.

Nhim Vanda said the water level is likely to continue rising at least until next Monday.

On Thursday, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said flooding is a natural cause due to climate change.