PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and India signed a pact on Monday to upgrade meteorological capabilities in Siem Reap province, home to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat temple complex, as part of India’s “Quick Impact Project” initiative.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Indian Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung and Cambodian Secretary of State at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology H.E. Bun Hean. The project focuses on “Enhancing Weather and Climate Monitoring Capacity in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia” in a region increasingly threatened by extreme weather and lightning strikes.
Under the agreement, two state-of-the-art automatic weather stations will be deployed in Puok district and Siem Reap city. Key features of the project include: Installation of lightning detection sensors to mitigate risks in high-traffic tourist areas; Comprehensive capacity-building programmes for Cambodian meteorological personnel; Real-time data integration to improve disaster preparedness for farmers and the tourism sector.
The initiative aligns with Cambodia’s national goal of achieving district-level weather observation coverage. Beyond agricultural benefits, officials noted that improved monitoring is vital for the preservation of Cambodia’s cultural heritage sites, which face growing climate-related risks.
The deal underscores Cambodia’s role in India’s Act East Policy and the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework.
India currently funds 10 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) annually in Cambodia, targeting sectors from health and education to climate resilience.