Phnom Penh, Aug 9 (IANS): At least 19 people were killed and thousands have been evacuated from their homes in Cambodia due floods caused by heavy rains and overflowing rivers, an official said Saturday.
According to the official, more than 8,000 families have been evacuated to higher grounds, Xinhua reported.
The official said that currently, 12 of the country's 25 cities and provinces are suffering from floods caused by monsoon rains and the Mekong river overflowing.
Prime Minister Hun Sen Thursday appealed to dwellers along the Mekong river and Tonle Sap Lake to be extra vigilant over flooding and ordered local authorities to work closely with the Cambodian Red Cross to assist flood-affected families.
Flooding usually hits Cambodia between August and October.
Last year, the floods killed 168 people and affected 1.8 million people.