Phnom Penh Boosts Flood Preparedness with New Pumping Station

Phnom Penh is enhancing its drainage capabilities to protect residents and infrastructure from the impact of severe seasonal rains. Under the direction of Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng, the city administration is actively constructing a new pumping station, designated 'Kilometer No. 9,' located in the Russei Keo district. This facility is designed to discharge 8.34 cubic meters of water per second. The pumping station, initiated by the Governor, is currently 90% complete. The plan is to connect its main pipelines before the Pchum Ben Festival to begin draining water into the river. Full completion of the station is anticipated by November 2026. The station is equipped with four pumps: two with a cross-sectional area of 1 meter, each capable of pumping 9,000 cubic meters per hour, and two with a cross-sectional area of 0.8 meters, each capable of pumping 6,000 cubic meters per hour. This configuration provides a total pumping capacity of 30,000 cubic meters per hour, equivalent to 8.34 cubic meters per second. Kun Sophal, Chief of the Department of Public Works and Transport for Russei Keo district, stated on August 3rd that the Kilometer No. 9 pumping station will play a crucial role in draining water from the Bak Touk and Ou Veng canals. Beyond its local function in Russei Keo, the station will also assist in draining water from Daun Penh and Toul Kork districts. Kun Sophal further elaborated that in parallel with the construction of the new pumping station, and in line with Governor Khuong Sreng's continuous directives, the district authorities and the Phnom Penh Department of Public Works and Transport have also undertaken the dredging of the Bak Touk and Ou Veng canals. This effort aims to ensure faster water flow towards the Kilometer No. 9 pumping station. Jin Bunthoeun, Governor of Russei Keo district, reported that the dredging of Bak Touk and Ou Veng canals within the district commenced on March 9th and concluded on July 12th, spanning 122 days. The project successfully dredged 3,520 meters of the Bak Touk canal and 3,480 meters of the Ou Veng canal, totaling 7,000 meters. Eleven units of heavy machinery and equipment, including five sludge trucks, three long-arm excavators, one short-arm excavator, and one barge, were utilized. These improved canals are vital for managing heavy rainfall, preventing waterlogging, and strategically channeling water from the Toul Kork pumping station. Mao Vanna, Commune Chief of Kilometer No. 6, inspecting the canals on August 3rd, expressed that the construction of the Kilometer No. 9 pumping station will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in his commune. On behalf of the residents, the Commune Chief extended his sincere gratitude to Governor Khuong Sreng for the new pumping station, which has alleviated the community's fear of flood damage. He also appealed to residents living along the canals to participate in maintaining the dredged waterways and to dispose of their waste properly to ensure environmental hygiene and prevent blockages. Source: CEN Cambodia