Lightning storms have killed five people and destroyed 35 homes since Saturday in Kompong Cham and Prey Veng provinces, police officials said Wednesday.
Three people died in Kompong Cham’s Kang Meas and Cheung Prey districts Tuesday—Song Sokny, 5, Chea Srey, 38, and Long Lonh, 48—after being struck by lightning, provincial police chief Noun Samoun said by telephone.
Penh Thavy, 19, was killed by lightning Saturday, Noun Samoun said, adding that 35 homes were destroyed in his province due to heavy storms.
Kang Meas district Deputy Governor Moeun Pha said by telephone that homes in his district stood little chance of withstanding such a fierce storm.
“Their homes are too small, and it was a strong storm,” he said, adding that they would offer more donations today.
In Prey Veng province Tuesday, 16-year-old Mao Sarum died after being struck by lightning, according to Peam Ro district police chief Thum Sum Money.
Seth Vannareth, director of the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology’s disaster management committee, said that people need to pay closer attention to changing weather patterns as the number of severe storms are expected to increase in the coming months.
“You have to escape from an approaching storm or rain because there is a good chance there will be lightning,” Seth Vannareth said.
