Flood-swollen river closes bridge in Battambang

A bridge over the Sangkae River in Battambang city was shut to traffic on September 25 after heavy rain pushed river levels up sharply, provincial officials said.

The Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng Bridge was closed temporarily, and authorities asked households living near the river to be especially careful, with extra attention to children and older residents.

Flooding spreads across districts

Parts of Samlot district also saw flooded roads and bridges on Friday, as continued rain overflowed local streams and rivers.

The provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology said Cambodia would be affected by a low-pressure system from September 24 to 30. The system formed over the western Pacific and later strengthened into Surigae, the 26th named storm of the year, designated T2626.

It said the storm strengthened the southwest monsoon over the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, South China Sea, Mekong basin and Cambodian waters, bringing repeated heavy rain to much of Battambang, especially Samlot.

Samlot is a key catchment area for the Battambang multipurpose reservoir. Officials said rainwater flowed into the reservoir quickly, lifting its level well beyond its maximum limit.

Evacuations in neighbouring Pailin

Flooding also hit parts of Pailin province near the Battambang border, prompting several families to evacuate.

Pailin governor Ban Sreymom said on Friday that rain was still falling and water levels were climbing. She said crews had worked through the night to open floodgates and release water from several areas, but conditions remained dangerous.

Residents in Steung Trang commune in Sala Krao district, and other areas close to streams or rivers, were asked to leave their homes for a time and move to elevated areas.

She said rescue workers and security forces at different levels were on standby at all hours to help residents.