In Kep, fears turn from drought to flooding

Flood waters cover the grounds of a primary school in Kep province yesterday. Photo supplied

In Kep, fears turn from drought to flooding

Fri, 27 May 2016 ppp

Khouth Sophak Chakrya

After being hit by a drought that left tens of thousands of families facing water shortages, Kep province is now being flooded.

Provincial Governor Ken Satha said yesterday afternoon that after receiving 188 millimetres of rain in 24 hours on Wednesday, Kep remained blanketed in fog and drizzle, which he said had residents concerned that the flooding may get even worse.

Several schools in Damnak Changaur district and others in Kep town were flooded on Wednesday and authorities are making preparations to repair damaged roads and sewer systems even as water levels remain at knee height, inundating rice fields, he said.

One positive result of the rain, he said, was the entire province now had adequate supplies of fresh water. Observers had expressed concern that the government’s decision on Tuesday to end an emergency water distribution campaign was premature.