El Niño Phenomenon Poses Water Shortage, Drought Risk to Ratanakiri Province

Ratanakiri Province, located in the northeastern part of Cambodia, may face mild to moderate water shortages and drought due to the progression of the El Niño phenomenon. This is attributed to the phenomenon bringing extremely hot weather, according to an analysis of current and past meteorological data and observations by the Ratanakiri Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology. The Provincial Department of Water Resources stated that from July 20 to August 10, 2026, the southwest monsoon is expected to weaken due to the El Niño phenomenon. This condition indicates that rainfall in Ratanakiri Province will decrease to levels significantly below the average of previous years. Consequently, the province is at risk of facing mild to moderate water shortages and drought. To mitigate the impact, the Ratanakiri Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology is calling on local authorities to prepare effective water management and distribution plans. Farmers are also advised to plan by selecting crop varieties that require less water or by delaying planting in areas where water sources are insufficient. The general public is encouraged to conserve water in their daily lives and to follow subsequent announcements from the Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology. The department will continue to closely monitor the development of weather conditions and update information if any significant changes occur. Furthermore, in a circular dated June 25, 2026, Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed relevant institutions to take measures to retain ample water during the mid-to-late rainy season to prepare for potential water shortages and rising temperatures during the dry season, which is expected to be prolonged in 2027 due to El Niño. The United Nations (UN) has warned that the world must prepare for the return of the El Niño phenomenon, which can bring about extreme weather conditions, including both heavy rainfall causing floods and severe droughts. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local