Heavy rains since
early July this year have caused widespread flooding in Cambodia,
Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. At least 82 persons have lost their lives
in the worst flooding Cambodia has seen in decades with 13 of its
23 provinces being severely affected. All monitoring stations along
the Mekong River in Cambodia are reporting levels rising above the
danger mark. As a result a state of emergency has been declared in
three provinces, including Phnom Penh. The water level at Chaktomuk,
the point where the Mekong, Bassac and Sap rivers converge in Phnom
Penh has reached nearly 37 feet and is expected to climb even higher.
An official from the national water board has confirmed that at around
38 feet, the water will spill into the streets. Boats and helicopters
are being prepared for evacuations should the city, or large parts
of it become submerged.
Flooding in provinces
along the Mekong River has left more than 42,000 families homeless
and destroyed more than US$ 9-million in crops. Thousands of soldiers
and police have been utilised to help fortify the Mekong’s banks with
sandbags.
ACT member, the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Cambodia has received requests
for assistance from the Cambodia Red Cross Society and expects to
receive details of the type of assistance needed within the next days.
LWF-Cambodia is also awaiting reports from their project areas.
ACT CO has contacted
ACT member, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) working in Vietnam who
have confirmed that there is serious flooding in south Vietnam along
the Mekong Delta (outside their area of operations), but local authorities
appear to be coping with the situation at present. NCA will continue
to monitor the situation and will keep ACT CO updated.
Depending upon
the reports and requested assistance, an ACT appeal may be forthcoming.
