Sangkae River Water Level Exceeds Warning Level in Battambang; Alert Issued

The water level of the Sangkae River in Cambodia's western Battambang province has reached 13.90 meters as of noon on September 25, 2026, exceeding the warning level of 13.70 meters. It is currently unpredictable when the water level will recede. Mr. Khai Sudath, Director of the Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, urged residents, especially those in Ek Phnom district, which borders Tonle Sap Lake, to remain highly vigilant. He explained that the water level has risen beyond expectations and the warning threshold, and with continuous rainfall across the province, predicting future trends is challenging. Currently, the water level of Tonle Sap Lake is also rising and approaching the Phiach reservoir. The Sangkae River's water is merging with that of Tonle Sap Lake, causing a slower flow and contributing to further water level increases. The expert team has opened the gates of the Sek Sak multi-purpose dam to regulate upstream water flow, while the gates at the Kanghot weir and near Ta On school have been fully opened to facilitate drainage into Tonle Sap Lake. Mr. Sudath reiterated his appeal for continued caution among residents in the lower reaches of the Sangkae River. Due to ongoing rainfall in the upper river basin, a definite timeframe for water level recession cannot be provided at this moment. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local