Phnom Penh Drainage & Diversion Project Reaches 60% Completion

• 6 May 2024
• Local News
• 7454 Views

The project aimed at draining water and diverting flows from Phnom Penh to rehabilitate 10 canals spanning 260 kilometres has achieved a significant milestone, reaching 60% completion. This update comes directly from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on 4 May 2024, marking substantial progress in addressing flooding issues in the nearby provinces.

During a recent inspection of the project’s progress, HE Tho Chetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, highlighted the causes of flooding in Phnom Penh and surrounding areas, attributing it to rainfall from the Oral Mountains in Kampong Speu and the Cardamom Mountains. Streams flowing into the Prek Tnaot River increase from 1,300 to 1,700 cubic metres per second, overwhelming existing drainage infrastructure, the Kampong Toul Teuk Thla at the bottom can drain about 850 cubic metres per second.

In response, the diversion project aims to expedite water release into the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Tonle Bassac basins. This involves rehabilitating 10 canals spanning 260 kilometres and modernising flood relief infrastructure to effectively manage rainfall runoff.

Of particular note is the successful excavation and rehabilitation of Main Canal 96 and Prek Kong in Sangkat Kampong Samnang, Sangkat Roka Khpos, and Sangkat Prek Hoor, Takhmao city, Kandal province, covering a length of 34 kilometres, achieving a commendable 65% completion rate.

This project forms a crucial component of the larger drainage system and rainwater diversion initiative aimed at mitigating flooding in Phnom Penh, Takhmao city, and the surrounding satellite areas. By channelling water from Stung Prek Tnaot straight into Prek Ho and the X1 area between the airport, it aims to alleviate flooding concerns and facilitate water release above the new airport, ultimately benefitting areas such as Boeung Cheung Long and Prek Ambel before it reaches the sea.

• Road and Infrastructure