Lightning
Lightning killed a woman I Banteay Meanchey province’s Malai district Monday, bringing the total number of lightning deaths in Cambodia for the year so far to 94, according to the National Committee for Disaster Management.
Koy Vy, 37, was struck by lightning at about 6 pm while carrying rainwater to a house located in a cornfield in O’Sampoar commune, deputy district police chief Duong Tum said yesterday.
“Right now the lightning is very powerful and dangerous,” he said. “We told the villagers not to go out when it rains, but it is hard for them to get out of the rain because they are farmers.”
He added that even though this was the first reco0rded lightning-related death in the district this year, lightning strikes kill people in the area every year.
Last year, Mr Tum noted, four people were killed by lighning at once while transporting corn from their farm.
To prevent deaths from lightning strikes, local police and district officials have tried to educate villagers on how to protect themselves, Mr Tum said. He said that officials have advised villagers to turn off appliance like radios, TVs and mobile telephones during thunderstorms. He added that lighting was hard to avoid when villagers are in rice fields, where most lightning strikes occure.
The NCHM’s count of lightning deaths at this point last year was 120. While there have been fewer deaths this year due to lightning strikes, six deaths were recorded across the country this week.
“This week a lot of people were killed by lightning…most likely due to all the rain,” said Keo Vy, deputy director of information and relations for the NCDM.
My Vy said the NCDM ws preparing a document for villagers on how to stay safe during thunderstorms, adding that it would be more detailed than previous versions.
“We are preparing the presentation and we also are seeking a sponsor to print poster and booklets,” he said.
“When the villagers understand, it will help reduce the deaths of lightning,” he said.
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