Battambang Province Strengthens Water Management Amid El Niño - Irrigation and Future Drought Preparedness

Battambang, Cambodia – July 20, 2026 Battambang Provincial Governor, H.E. Sok Lu, accompanied by relevant technical officials, inspected water conditions at the Doun Tre Dam and several reservoirs and water retention dams in Rukkiri and Moun Rysy districts on July 19, 2026. The inspection aimed to bolster efforts to rescue the rice crops of citizens to the fullest extent possible and in accordance with technical standards, ensuring sufficient water for consumption by both humans and animals in the upcoming dry season. During the occasion, H.E. Sok Lu instructed the Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology to continue paying close attention to the management and equitable distribution of water to farmers. In addition to distributing water to rescue farmers' rice crops, H.E. instructed that water be reserved to prepare for potential shortages in the future. This year, Cambodia is experiencing the El Niño phenomenon, which causes extremely hot weather and scarce rainfall, and Battambang province is also affected. According to Mr. Kai Soda, Director of the Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, the current water volume in the Doun Tre Dam reservoir is approximately 50 million cubic meters. The department will continue to distribute water to farmers equitably and transparently, in line with the instructions of H.E. Sok Lu, Governor of Battambang Provincial Administration. The water volume in the Doun Tre Dam is insufficient to irrigate the vast rice cultivation areas far from the water source, as a portion of the water must be reserved to prepare for future shortages. Based on the monitoring and analysis of weather patterns and meteorological data from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, the Battambang Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology has informed the public and relevant authorities that from July 20 to August 10, 2026, the El Niño phenomenon's progression will cause the southwest monsoon to weaken. Such conditions will lead to significantly below-average rainfall in Battambang province, potentially facing drought conditions ranging from mild to severe. Source: AKP Khmer