Cambodian lightning toll rises sharply
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Around 80 Cambodians were killed by lightning strikes in the first six months of 2013, up 21 per cent from 66 deaths during the same period last year, according to a disaster control official.
Lightning also injured 69 people and killed 46 heads of cattle, said Keo Vy, chief of the National Committee for Disaster Management.
He blamed the heavy rains with lightning and thunderstorms caused by low pressure in the March-May season for the greater casualties in the six months.
“Now, it is a rainy season, lightning strikes can happen when there is rain, so people should be careful to avoid dangers,” he told Xinhua. “They should stay in their houses when there are torrential rains with storms and lightning.”
The country sees one of the highest tolls from lightning, at 7.8 deaths per million people. Last year’s figures saw 103 people killed and 72 others injured, according to Keo Vy.
