Phnom Penh City Hall has unveiled plans to combat persistent flooding in the city, with a project that is intended to prevent serious flooding for the next 20 to 30 years. The ambitious initiative will focus on expanding drainage canals and introducing new pumping stations.

Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng made the announcement during an October 4 investment planning meeting on infrastructure and water release systems. The session, attended by 14 district governors and relevant departments, aimed to address flood prevention measures in the capital.

Sreng emphasised the need to redirect waterways from Kampong Speu to prevent inflow into Phnom Penh.

“The city has received international acclaim, including from Prime Minister Hun Manet, for its drainage system,” he noted.

“However, we face challenges during heavy, prolonged rains and need collective efforts to prevent flooding,” he added.

Sreng confirmed that the city aims to develop a robust underground infrastructure within the next four years that ensures the threat of floods is minimised, based on guidelines from Manet.

As part of the strategy, City Hall intends to collaborate with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Department of Public Works and Transport and the Department of Water Resources and Meteorology. They will jointly draft a plan, which be submitted to the inter-ministerial committee.

Sreng highlighted the necessity for improved drainage systems, with a particular emphasis on enlarging existing canals and bringing additional pumping stations online.

“To match the progress of Phnom Penh’s development, we’re organising this project to address flooding for the next two to three decades,” he added.

Sam Piseth, director of the municipal department of public works and transport, said that over 924km of sewerage network has been constructed in the capital as of 2023.

“The primary challenge lies in maintaining reservoirs for water release from the city,” he explained.