Drought kills hundreds of animals, survival of villages at risk

In many areas of the country lack of water and high temperatures means survival is at risk. 50 degrees reached in areas. Tons of fish and hundreds of species of animals - monkeys, reptiles, birds – have died in the last days. People wait for rainy season and the arrival of the monsoon.

 

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews) - In many areas of Cambodia drought is killing tons of fish and hundreds of other animal species, putting at risk the very survival of the inhabitants of the villages that do not have enough - as well as food - drinking water.

Environmentalists and institutions report that almost all of the 24 provinces and special administrative areas in which the country is divided have experienced (in various capacities) water crises. However, in some areas the effects have reached alarming levels, water is scarce and stocks are being depleted.

According to reports from Radio Free Asia (RFA), the experts of the central province of Kampong Thom are intervening with emergency measures to try to staunch the situation. The goal is to prevent the death of the fish fauna of the river Chhmar, in Staung district, because of the high temperatures.

In the area the thermometer reached 47 degrees, and the heat wave has killed at least 60 tons of fish in the last eight days.

For the third consecutive year the temperatures have reached high levels, killing flora and fauna of the region; many experts in the country point the finger at global warming.

In the northeastern province of Stung Treng authorities have opened an investigation into the death of at least 200 cows and water buffaloes, again because of the ongoing drought. In an effort to save the animals, the children are foraging in forests in search of plants and herbs to feed them.

Excessive heat also killed 30 monkeys - as well as reptiles and birds - in the last two days in Battambang province; many more are destined to suffer the same fate if the rain does not come within a week.

The dry season in Cambodia begins in October and ends in April. The monsoons are expected in May, the period of rains, during which 75% of the annual quantity of water falls in the country.

• Cambodia nature environment Drought fish fauna flora drinking
• water monsoon