A 33-YEAR-OLD man died after being struck by lightning while he was farming in Battambang province’s Moung Russei district on Saturday, a commune official said.

Puy Savon, chief of Moung Russei district’s Russei Kraing commune, said that Monk Mer was found dead after being struck by lightning.

“He lives in Pursat, but he was working in Battambang for awhile,” said Puy Savon.

“He died from a lightning strike. When the villagers found him, he was dead.” So far this year, 144 people have been killed by lightning, according to Keo Vy, a cabinet chief at the National Committee for Disaster Management.