Background
Riverbank protection is a water infrastructure function used to stabilize eroding banks and protect nearby settlements, roads, and public land from river-induced erosion. In Cambodia, riverbank works are especially relevant in areas connected to the Mekong and Bassac river systems, where seasonal water flows and bank erosion can affect communities along river corridors.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology is Cambodia’s central government institution for water resources management, meteorology, hydrology, and river-related technical works. River engineering projects under MOWRAM typically require technical assessment, site supervision, and construction quality control because bank protection structures must withstand changing water levels and soil conditions.
The Bassac River forms part of the wider Mekong river system and passes through the Phnom Penh and Kandal area before continuing southward. Bank protection along this corridor is an infrastructure measure intended to reduce erosion risks for riverside communities and support local land stability.
Key Developments
On 29 April 2026, H.E. Chun Putharith, Director General of the General Department of Technical Affairs and head of the project inspection unit, led a technical team to inspect the progress of a Bassac River riverbank protection project in Prek Chrey commune, Sampeou Poun city, Kandal province.
The inspection was conducted on behalf of H.E. Tho Chetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology. Officials from the Department of Hydrology and River Works accompanied the mission to review and evaluate implementation progress.
According to MOWRAM, the project covers a total length of 500 meters and had reached approximately 50% completion at the time of inspection.
Institutional Role
MOWRAM’s technical leadership role in the project reflects the ministry’s responsibility for supervising river-related infrastructure and assessing construction progress against planned technical standards. The ministry’s project inspection unit and specialist departments provide oversight for works involving hydrology, riverbank conditions, and erosion-control design.
During the visit, the Director General commended the progress achieved and instructed the technical team to continue prioritizing construction quality in line with applicable standards. He also urged the team to accelerate implementation so that the project can be completed according to plan.
Operational Implications
The Bassac River protection works use several construction methods, including geotextile sandbags, gabion boxes for soil retention, and concrete beam works to strengthen the slope base. These methods are commonly used in riverbank stabilization because they combine soil support, drainage capacity, and structural reinforcement.
MOWRAM stated that the project is intended to respond to riverbank collapse risks affecting local residents. The reported 50% completion level provides a reference point for tracking implementation of the 500-meter erosion-control project in Kandal province.
