Flood forces Cambodia to cancel Water Festival

6 October 2013
Xinhuanet News
Development policy and administration / Disasters / Environment and natural resources / Floods
Keo Vy / National Committee for Disaster Management / NCDM / Royal Palace / Tonle Sap river / Water Festival

Cambodia announced Sunday to cancel the annual Water Festival next month since the country has been hit hard by Mekong flash floods, the government said in a statement on Sunday. "This year, Mekong floods have been severely hitting Cambodia, claiming human lives and inundating houses, schools, pagodas, hospitals, roads and crops," said the statement signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. "Now, water situation is still in an alarming level and needs to be given high attention to in order to avoid any possible dangers." "To focus on flood issues, the government decides to suspend the celebration of Water Festival, which is planned on Nov. 16-18 on Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace," it said The statement added that despite the cancellation of the festival, civil servants, employees and workers can still enjoy a 3-day holiday on that occasion. ...

 Xinhuanet News Staff
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-10/06/c_132775489.htm