Phnom Penh (FN), April 1 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen called on citizens to catch rainwater by using reservoirs and urged the authorities to solve water crisis for vulnerable people, addressing at the graduation ceremony of Vanda Institute on Monday.

"The rain comes in certain regions. It has eased people there. More rain will come, thus everyone should catch it and use it effectively,” said Prime Minister.

“No countries could control weather. The kingdom faces drought, other countries attacked by flood.”

According to the Ministry of Water Resources, there will be slight rain in Phnom Penh and Kandal, while the Koh Kong, Pursat and Kampong Speu will receive heavy rain which will be good for hydropower.

Prime Minister also urged farmers to do only one-time farming in dry season and reserve water for daily usage and for watering other crops besides paddy. He urged all state and private institutions, as well as the Cambodian Red Cross to stand ready for timely assistance.

“Digging well is better than water distribution,” he stated.

According to the government’s circular, Cambodia will face drought during April and May and that temperature will rise to 40-42 degree Celsius due to El Nino.

In the circular, it stressed that the influence of El Niño will also cause less rainfall, thunderstorms, and late rainy season. El Niño refers to the cycle of warm and cold temperatures, as measured by sea surface temperature of the tropical central and eastern Pacific Ocean.