Floods have killed at least 20 Cambodian people, including 11 children in the last two weeks, a disaster control official said Thursday.

Keo Vy, chief of the Cabinet of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said nearly 5,000 families have been evacuated to higher grounds, while over 20,000 houses have been inundated.

Seven provinces being hit by floods are Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear, he said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday called on local authorities to be on high alert over the annual Mekong River floods and advised them to be ready to help affected people.

He also urged parents to take care of their children in order to prevent drowning.

Floods usually hit Cambodia between August and October. In 2011, the country was hit the worst from floods, killing up to 250 people, according to the NCDM.



Last year, floods killed 14 people in the country.