Preah Sihanouk governor Kuoch Chamroeun on June 23 instructed the provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology to perform regular maintenance of Sihanoukville’s canal system to prevent flooding in the rainy season.

Heavy machinery is to be used to clear out the canals to ensure sufficient flows, according to standards, to minimise the impact of flooding.

Chamroeun issued the instruction during the inspection of canal restoration work in southern Sihanoukville’s Commune IV, of a stretch from NGO Mlop Tapang’s premises to a 16ha wastewater treatment plan.

It took 20 days for three pieces of machinery to clear out about 10,000 cubic metres from the canals.

“When it rains, the sand pours into the canals. And if we do not take measures to restore it, it will slow water flows, which can cause floods,” Chamroeun said.

He also called on residents along the canals to work with the authorities and properly dispose of waste, refraining from littering and clogging the system, thereby contributing to flooding.