Cambodia Inspects Irrigation Facilities Amid Drought Concerns, Focusing on Agricultural Water Security

On the morning of Monday, September 7, 2026, H.E. Thong Cheathal, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, inspected the construction of a small-scale river dam and water pumping intervention operations to rescue rice crops for citizens in the geographical areas of Thmey Village, Kandal Dom Sangkat, Chbar Mon City, and Kandal Phloem Village, Roling Kreul Commune, Samrong Tong District, Kampong Speu Province. As of early September 2026, the working group of the Department of Water Resources and Meteorology of Kampong Speu Province has intervened by pumping water to rescue approximately 14,285 hectares of rainy season rice fields belonging to citizens, using 65-horsepower water pumps, electric-powered pumping stations, and by excavating and draining water through the main canal. Currently, the working group continues to intervene by pumping water to rescue approximately 11,898 hectares of rice cultivation land. His Excellency the Minister and the working group also inspected the construction of a small-scale river dam for the project of draining and diverting water from the geographical areas of Phnom Penh Capital and its surrounding areas, located in Sre Kk Village, Roling Chak Commune, Samrong Tong District, Kampong Speu Province. This facility has the potential to divert approximately 300 cubic meters of water per second through the small river in Kampong Speu Province and Kandal Province, flowing into Tonle Baty in Takeo Province, and then continuing to the Bassac River. Information Source: AKP Khmer