Cambodia: Battambang Province Flood and Drought Damage Assessed for Emergency Intervention

On September 5, 2026, His Excellency Kim Virak, Deputy Secretary-General and representative of His Excellency Dr. Kun Kim, Senior Minister and First Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), led a working group to inspect flood damage in Ek Phnom District, Battambang Province. During the inspection, His Excellency Kim Virak reviewed the progress of restoring road infrastructure and culverts damaged by the floods, as well as the provincial and district administrations' plans for ongoing repairs and reconstruction. According to reports, Battambang Province experienced two flood events in August 2026. The first flood had higher water levels but caused less impact, while the second flood, though with lower water levels, resulted in damage to some residences and road infrastructure. During the second flood phase, authorities decided to block water flow through canals to protect rice crops that were near or undergoing harvest. Following the flood inspection, His Excellency Kim Virak proceeded to inspect drought conditions in Moung Russei District, affecting over 10,000 hectares. Agricultural officials indicated that if rainfall occurs in September, approximately 30% of the affected area could be restored. During discussions with local authorities, His Excellency Kim Virak received additional information that four communes in the district are facing difficulties due to a lack of daily water for households, with a trend towards ongoing temporary water distribution. In response, His Excellency Kim Virak instructed commune and district officials to prepare damage reports, requests, and essential needs for intervention, enabling the NCDM Secretariat to manage resources for rescue and to propose timely preparations and interventions to relevant leadership. Source: CPP Cambodia