Battambang Province, Cambodia Faces Severe Drought Impact; Irrigation Interventions Underway

Battambang Province in western Cambodia is facing a severe drought, affecting approximately 110,000 hectares of rice cultivation. The provincial government has already implemented relief measures through irrigation systems in about 70,000 hectares and is continuing to provide additional support. Battambang Provincial Governor Sok Lou stated this on July 27, 2026, while inspecting water conditions at the Kanghot irrigation system in Banan district and other water reservoirs. He instructed that water be supplied to save the farmers' rice crops to the maximum extent possible and in accordance with technical standards. The governor pledged to continue interventions to supply water for rice rescue and directed the Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology to continue focusing on managing and distributing water to farmers equitably and transparently. He also requested cooperation from farmers in the upper areas who have already received water to temporarily suspend pumping so that water can be supplied to the lower areas facing water shortages. Farmers expressed their relief and gratitude to the leadership for personally intervening to provide water to save their rice crops. They observed that Prime Minister Hun Manet, along with leaders at all levels, is paying great attention to rescuing their rice crops to the best of their ability. In accordance with the high recommendations of Prime Minister Hun Manet, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Management Koun Kim, leaders from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Governor Sok Lou of Battambang Province, and relevant departments have met directly with farmers and continuously inspected the distribution of water to rescue rice crops.