Cambodia Braces for Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms, and Gusts Due to Tropical Storm Dolphin

The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has issued a warning regarding the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Dolphin (T2613), which has formed over the western Pacific Ocean. The storm is expected to influence the southwest monsoon, leading to the possibility of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong gusts across various provinces in Cambodia from July 29th to 31st. While the storm's direct path is not over the Cambodian mainland, its influence on regional weather patterns is significant. The ministry emphasized that the storm's effects will be felt across the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, South China Sea, Mekong River basin, Cambodian Sea, and the Kingdom of Cambodia. The ministry provided specific weather forecasts for different regions of the country: For the plains, minimum temperatures are expected to be around 25°C, with maximums reaching 36°C. Winds will predominantly be from the southwest and west at an average speed of 3 meters per second. Provinces including Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Kandal, and the capital city of Phnom Penh are predicted to experience rain, thunderstorms, and gusts affecting approximately 30% of their land area. In the highland regions, minimum temperatures are forecast at 24°C, with maximums around 35°C. Winds from the southwest and west will be slightly stronger, averaging 4 meters per second. Provinces such as Kampong Speu, Pailin, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Kratie, Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, along with the Dangrek Mountains and Cardamom Mountains areas, are likely to see rain, thunderstorms, and gusts covering about 50% of their territories. Coastal areas will experience temperatures between 25°C and 35°C. Winds from the southwest and southeast will blow at an average speed of 2 meters per second. Provinces like Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep, and the Bokor Mountain region are expected to face rain, thunderstorms, and gusts across approximately 60% of their coastal zones. This meteorological update highlights Cambodia's vulnerability to seasonal weather patterns and the potential disruption that such events can cause, particularly to agriculture and infrastructure. The public is advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions.