As of July 20, 2026, drought conditions linked to the El Niño phenomenon have impacted 108,164 hectares of rice crops across seven Cambodian provinces. Despite the significant area affected, officials report that widespread destruction has been averted due to timely intervention measures.
Soth Kimkolmony, spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), stated that while the situation is being closely monitored, only minor damage has been recorded so far. Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces are currently the most affected regions. According to NCDM data, Battambang leads with 62,554 hectares impacted, followed by Siem Reap (19,503 hectares), Pursat (19,320 hectares), Banteay Meanchey (7,032 hectares), Ratanakiri (4,200 hectares), Kampong Thom (191 hectares), and Kampong Chanth (63 hectares). Of these, only 22 hectares in Kampong Cham have suffered total crop loss.
The drought is attributed to El Niño, which has resulted in uneven and insufficient rainfall during the current wet season, compounded by low water levels remaining from the previous dry season. Kimkolmony noted that recent rains in some areas, particularly Battambang, have provided some relief for irrigation. NCDM Vice President Kun Kim is currently overseeing assessment and rescue efforts in the affected provinces.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has also mobilized resources to address water shortages. Minister Thor Chetha announced that over 500 water pumps have been prepared for deployment to high-risk areas. "This year, the El Niño effect is stronger than usual, with technical studies showing temperatures could rise by about 2 degrees Celsius above the annual average," Chetha said, urging citizens to use water resources efficiently.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have encouraged the public to stay informed through official weather updates and mobile alerts. For context, in 2025, drought conditions across 17 provinces affected over 130,000 hectares of rice, leading to the loss of more than 15,000 hectares.
Source: Khmer Times
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