Flood death toll in Cambodia rises to 16

Mekong River floods and flash floods in other places have so far caused 16 people dead and five others injured in Cambodia, Keo Vy, a spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said on Sunday.

Among the deceased were seven children, he said.

The floods have hit parts of eight provinces out of the kingdom's 25 cities and provinces since early this month, he said, adding that affected provinces include Kratie, Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, Kandal and Preah Vihear.

"About 89,722 families were affected, and 14,583 of them were evacuated to higher ground," he told Xinhua.

The spokesman added that some 68,780 houses and 59,242 hectares of rice fields and other crops have also been inundated with floodwaters.

Floods usually hit Cambodia between August and October. Last year, Mekong River and flash floods killed a total of 63 people, according to the NCDM.