Monday, October 10, 2011

Water, water everywhere

OK. So We're going through our 3rd flood in Siem Reap where the river has over flown its banks and spilled into the streets turning them into extended tributaries. From morning to afternoon, the river rose and spilled over so that you couldn't see its banks.


Lower Wat Bo Road and all its side streets are full of water. ACE has a muddy river rushing past its gates and even filled the ground floor of the school 2 weeks ago. The Wat Damnak area has been inundated since early September.


The Old Market and Pub Street area are covered in water, though businesses and restaurants manage to stay open. They're still suffering as many tourists opt to stay in their guesthouses and hotels rather than wade through the murky waters.


You would think this would attract some international attention, maybe even national attention. Unfortunately, not so much. It took nearly 2 weeks for local papers to even begin reporting about flooding. In the past week the death toll has risen from nearly 150 to just over 200 people. Apparently the Cambodian government is promising $500 USD to every family that has lost someone to drowning.

Thousands of hectares of rice fields have been flooded leaving a huge unknown gap in the futures of rice production for the year. At a time when rice heads should be maturing, they are being drowned on the stalk.

Despite all this, Cambodians just keep on keeping on. They just roll up their trousers, hop on a motorbike or bicycle and head on out to school, work, or just simply driving around town. Life goes on even with sewage infused water flowing in and amongst everything.

7 comments:

  1. Oh no, it looks like it's not going to subside any sooner. Was in SR last year, thank God the weather was fine even though it was quite hot.

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  2. Hello - thinking of visiting Siem Reap in a week's time. What do you think the flood situation will be by then? Would you advise postponing a visit? Thanks!

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  3. The flood waters have receded from the major attractions. Don't be afraid to come! Siem Reap and Cambodia needs your support by visiting and spending money here locally.

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  4. We are considering coming to Cambodia on 2nd Nov and whilst I appreciate the need to support the people there at this time I would appreciate your honest opinion if our holiday would be adversely affected by the recent floods. Has Phnom Penh been equally affected as Siem Reap? Regards Rob

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  5. Holidays should NOT be adversely affected by the floods. ALL tourist attractions are still accessible. Phnom Penh has not had the same devastation as Siem Reap. It remained mostly untouched by the flooding.

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  6. Hey there - thinking of heading to siem reap early December. Looking to see Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap Lake and landmine museum - Do you think all these places will be ok from the floods by then?

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  7. By December it is officially the dry season. Therefore there should be NO problems from flooding. As it is now, things have dried out and are getting back to normal. Lake areas are still underwater, and several non-touristic areas are still having problems, but ALL tourist destinations are reachable.

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