Canal project intended to prevent flooding breaks ground in capital
RESTORATION work by the Phnom Penh Municipal Department of Public Works and Transport on the more than 6km Tuol Pongro 2 canal will break ground later this month. The project aims to reduce flooding in the southwestern part of the capital caused by heavy rains during the wet season.
The 6,100m canal begins at National Road 3 and passes through Por Sen Chey district’s Chom Chao I and Chom Chao II communes, crosses Dangkor district’s Prey Sar commune and then to Prek Ha Bridge.
Duong Chansarath, director of the Sewage, Pumping and Treatment Unit at the municipal Department of Public Works and Transport, told The Post on June 2 that restoring the canal would take two months. It’s scheduled for completion in August.
“Although Phnom Penh authorities have been tied up with the Covid problem, restoration on the canal continues. The work will prevent flooding in the rainy season. When completed, people living in the areas will be helped a lot,” he said.
Chansarath said that after completing this work on the canal, the unit will install drainage in Lou 5 in Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune.
“It is difficult to determine when flooding in Phnom Penh can be fully prevented, but the municipal hall has been steadily working on the issue and there has been a lot of progress,” he said.
The canal is very important in removing water and reducing floods in Po Sen Chey district and some parts of Dangkor district. These areas were inundated with water from severe flooding in 2020, said Chansarath.
In February, the municipal administration studied improvements to sewerage and drainage systems in certain districts with the aim to reduce flooding during the rainy season. A pumping station has been added in Tuol Pongro village of Por Sen Chey district’s Chom Chao II commune.
Sam Piseth, director of the municipal Department of Public Works and Transport, said that another pumping station is planned for Tuol Pongro village
in Por Sen Chey district’s Choam Chao II commune called “Tuol Pong pumping station”. Officials will also install a corner drain that is 8m wide.
“The Toul Pong pumping station has three pumps that can release water in the Tuol Pongro, Trapeang Thleung and surrounding areas. The project is expected to open at the end of February next year and is scheduled for completion in August 2021, if we have enough funds,” he said.