The Cambodia Daily
September 1, 2000

At least 300 hill-tribe families living in the northeast provinces have been evacuated to higher ground since Wednesday, due to heavy rains and the release of water from the Yali Falls dam in Vietnam.

Vorn Chunly, Ratanakkiri’s first deputy governor, said families in Taveng, Anlong Meas and Veun Sai districts had to be moved. No injuries were reported. “The water has risen up very quickly. It is probably caused by Yali Dam’s release of water and heavy rain,” he said. Over several hours on Wednesday, the Se San River rose from 10 meters to 10.4 meters. The dam, part of a hydroelectric complex in the central highlands of Vietnam, was blamed for the deaths of at least two dozen people and hundreds of farm animals earlier this year. Cambodian officials said the deaths occurred because dam officials released water without first warning Cambodians downstream. Vorn Chunly said dam officials did tell Ratanakkiri officials about the latest release. He said provincial officials have asked dam officials to reduce the release or stop it temporarily during the flooding. (Van Roeun)

At least 300 hill-tribe families living in the northeast provinces have been evacuated to higher ground since Wednesday, due to heavy rains and the release of water from the Yali Falls dam in Vietnam. Vorn Chunly, Ratanakkiri’s first deputy governor, said families in Taveng, Anlong Meas and Veun Sai districts had to be moved. No injuries were reported. “The water has risen up very quickly. It is probably caused by Yali Dam’s release of water and heavy rain,” he said. Over several hours on Wednesday, the Se San River rose from 10 meters to 10.4 meters. The dam, part of a hydroelectric complex in the central highlands of Vietnam, was blamed for the deaths of at least two dozen people and hundreds of farm animals earlier this year. Cambodian officials said the deaths occurred because dam officials released water without first warning Cambodians downstream. Vorn Chunly said dam officials did tell Ratanakkiri officials about the latest release. He said provincial officials have asked dam officials to reduce the re  ase or stop it temporarily during the flooding. (Van Roeun)