Officials warn of lightning strikes

Mom Kunthear

Phnom Penh Post

LIGHTNING strikes, which killed 140 people last year, claimed three lives through the first three months of 2010, including one on Wednesday, as officials said they were bracing for a sharp uptick in strikes as the rainy season approaches.

Keo Vy, a communications officer with the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said two of the lightning deaths recorded so far this year took place in Pursat province – one in Kravanh district in February, and one in Bakan district last month. In addition, he said, a five cattle have been killed by lightning so far this year.

Banteay Meanchey provincial police chief Hun Hean said 34-year-old Bun Bros of Poipet town was killed in a lightning strike on Wednesday.
Keo Vy said he could not provide a figure for deaths through the first three months of 2009, but noted that 50 people were killed by lightning through last April, and added that many of those deaths had occurred after the onset of the rainy season in April.

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