Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) carried out a gap assessment of Cambodia’s Early Warning System (EWS) and a commune-level social mapping on 8 - 11 October 2013. Conducted in the provinces of Beantey Meanchey and Pursat, the assessment coincided with the massive flood Cambodia is currently reeling under.

In the provincial-level meetings, detailed discussions were carried out to understand the gaps of the existing early warning system. During the social mapping on the commune-level, the villagers actively contributed in identifying the evacuation sites and routes.

According to the latest government figures on the current flood, more than hundred lives have been lost, and 1.5 million people have been displaced. A total of 20 provinces have been severely affected, and approximately 250,000 hectares of paddy has been covered with flood water.

“The provinces we visited were badly affected by the flooding. According to provincial officials, 684 hectares of rice field has been inundated in Sya commune of Pursat province alone. From previous experience – according to the officials – it takes about 2 - 3 weeks for the flood water to recede and sometimes even more”, says technical officer Dr. Rishiraj Dutta from ADPC.

More information:

Dr. Senaka Basnayake
Department Head, Senior Climatologist
Climate Change and Climate Risk Management (CCCRM)
Senaka_basnayake@adpc.net

Dr. Rishiraj Dutta
Technical Officer
Climate Change and Climate Risk Management (CCCRM)
rishiraj@adpc.net

Mr. Kenneth Norman Westgate
Team Leader
ADPC Project Office, Cambodia
westgateken@gmail.com