Mekong River and flash floods have killed 17 people in Cambodia from mid-July to September, according to a disaster control spokesperson on Monday. Soth Kim Kolmony, spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management, reported that floods struck 21 cities and provinces across the country, impacting 45,335 families. Among those affected, 1,777 families were evacuated to safer areas to escape the rising waters.

"The floods had claimed 17 lives, including nine children," Kolmony told Xinhua. The devastating floods inundated 18,962 houses, 102 schools, 44 pagodas, and eight hospitals. Additionally, 18,213 hectares of rice paddy and 1,525 hectares of other crops were damaged, significantly affecting the agricultural sector and food security in the region.

Mekong River and flash floods are an annual occurrence in Southeast Asia, typically affecting Cambodia between July and October. However, the severity of the floods this year was notable, as the number of fatalities rose sharply from six in 2023 to 17 in the current year. Authorities continue to work on flood prevention and response strategies to mitigate the impact of future flooding events.

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