THE Year of the Tiger will see a continuation of drought, diseases, flooding and violence in Cambodia, the capital’s fortune-tellers said on the eve of the new year, but the anticipated disasters will do little to seriously impact the Kingdom’s economic development in the upcoming year.

Chea Samnang, 57, a soothsayer from Chamkarmon district’s Tonle Bassac commune, said abnormal weather is expected to wreak havoc on crop production in the coming year, with the dry season continuing longer than usual, causing a major drought, followed by floods in September and October.

“About 30 percent of agriculture production will be lost to natural disasters, insect infestation and disease this year,” she said, adding that, as far as deaths go, most occurring this year will be “due to traffic accidents”.

Another fortune teller, Sok Mie, 65, said that political strife due to border conflicts will persist until the end of 2010. Likewise, the political arena will be impacted this year, when many corrupt politicians will be tried and prosecuted following a sweep of arrests, especially politicians born in the Year of the Tiger.

“This year is dangerous to those committing acts violating the law and humanity, especially civil servants and members of the military,” he predicted.

There are those who believe that people born in the Year of the Tiger, especially females, are prone to be stubborn or ill-tempered, along with being “unlucky in love”.

However, Phnom Penh resident Triv Sovannry, 25, said she is hoping that she will give birth to a child during the new year. She said that she and her husband, both born in the Year of the Tiger, have been blessed with good fortune throughout their lives.