PHNOM PENH, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday urged residents along major waterways to exercise extreme vigilance as the country braces for the impacts of tropical storm Saudel.
Senior Minister Kun Kim, first vice-president of the National Committee for Disaster Management, warned that provinces along the Mekong River, Bassac River, and around Tonle Sap Lake could face potential flooding, instructing local authorities to prepare immediate response measures.
"As major hydrological stations along the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap are experiencing significant rises in water levels, please prepare all necessary forces, means, and resources to ensure effective preparedness, response, and rescue operations," he said in a directive.
The directive follows a weather warning from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MWRM), which advised waterway travelers to exercise high caution from Aug. 19 to 29 due to the impacts of the storms.
While Cambodia does not sit directly in the storm's path, its outer bands will trigger increased rainfall and strong winds across both lowland and highland provinces nationwide, according to the MWRM notice.
"Coastal provinces, including Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep, along with the Bokor mountain range, could experience thunderstorms, gusty winds, and rain covering up to 50 percent of the area," the notice said.
Maritime conditions are also expected to deteriorate, with average sea wave heights reaching between 0.5 and 1.75 meters.
The MWRM urged citizens, particularly those traveling by land or sea, to remain highly alert against sudden downpours, lightning, and strong winds.
The ministry added that it will monitor weather patterns closely and provide updates as conditions evolve. ■