Starting on the morning of September 11, the Sen Sok district administration teamed up with the Phnom Penh Department of Public Works and Transport, bringing in heavy trucks and machinery right onto the streets. Workers lifted manhole covers, pumped out sludge, and cleared out trash and debris stuck in the drainage pipes. The main goal is to speed up rainwater drainage and prevent flooding during heavy downpours.
The cleanup is focused on several roads in Sen Sok’s Khthor Kork Khleang commune, including the stretch beside Wat Samrong Andeth, Ta Chet Road, and Street 1019. Crews used specialized equipment to clear out years of accumulated silt and rubbish to improve water flow and lower the risk of flooding on rainy days.
While on the job, however, workers ran into an infuriating discovery. In the Borey New World area within Kork Khleang, several drainage manholes had actually been sealed shut with cement. Water had no way to flow through, which explains why heavy rains always lead to slow drainage and instant flooding on the roads.
Local officials used the opportunity to remind residents to keep an eye on the drains right outside their homes. When it rains, taking a quick second to clear away trash blocking the manhole openings helps rainwater flow smoothly down into the pipes.
