AKP Phnom Penh, August 11, 2025 --

Authorities in Kampong Speu province have launched an urgent water-pumping operation to assist farmers facing drought in Samrong Torng district. 

The intervention, which began on Aug. 10, 2025, comes amid a prolonged dry spell during the mid-wet season.

Mr. Yim Norn, Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, led a team of officials to oversee the pumping of water from the main canal into the Choeung Ka’Ep canal.

According to Mr. Yim Norn, the drought has already damaged crops in Samrong Torng since early August. The most critical situation is in five villages within Vor Sar commune, where more than 200 hectares of rice fields are in urgent need of water.

The operation, under the guidance of Mr. Nhanh Cheap Horng, Director of the Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, involved deploying large-scale pumps. Farmers are then using their own equipment to distribute the water from the Choeung Ka’Ep canal into their individual fields.

Mr. Yim Norn expressed optimism that the emergency measure would save the rice crops and noted that the province's reservoirs are capable of supplying water to other affected areas. He urged all farmers experiencing drought to report the situation to local authorities promptly so that technical teams can provide timely assistance.

By K. Rithy Reak