Chapter 3 Adaptation to Droughts in Cambodia

Abstract

The country of Cambodia is vulnerable to climate variability and climate change (MoE, 2005). Flood and drought are common in Cambodia, and their impacts include the yearly destruction of infrastructure, property, crops, and livestock, and the loss of lives. Cambodia's adaptive capacity for flood and drought is poorly developed (NAPA, 2006). Cambodia receives most of its rainfall from the southwest monsoon, which occurs from mid-May through November. The coastal regions receive the highest rainfall amounts, about 3,000mm/year, while the highlands and lowlands receive 2,500mm/year and 1,400mm/year, respectively. The monthly distribution of rainfall results in a wet season extending from May through December and a dry season from December through April. On average, the annual rainfall in Cambodia is a bit higher than that of other countries in the region. Although the rainfall distribution in the country is high, drought has still occurred in recent years (MoE, 2005).

Citation

Nguyen, H. and Shaw, R. (2011), "Chapter 3 Adaptation to Droughts in Cambodia", Shaw, R. and Nguyen, H. (Ed.) Droughts in Asian Monsoon Region (Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, Vol. 8), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 49-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-7262(2011)0000008009