Cambodia says 150 killed in worst flash floods in more than a decade

Flood in Phnom Penh caused by heavy rains.

By Associated Press,
The Washington Post
Published: October 2, 2011

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia says flash floods have killed at least 150 people in the Southeast Asian nation since August.

The floods are the worst to hit the country since 2000, when 374 people were killed.

Cambodian government disaster agency spokesman Keo Vy said Sunday that flood waters along the Mekong River and other places have damaged 670,000 acres (271,000 hectares) of rice fields, as well as 904 schools and 361 Buddhist temples.

Hundreds of people have been killed across Southeast Asia, China, Japan and South Asia in the last four months from prolonged monsoon flooding, typhoons and storms.

The government in neighboring Thailand says heavy floods there have also killed 206 people since August.