Four people, including a mother and her child, were killed and about 400 houses were destroyed during a freak thunderstorm over the weekend.

The storm hit on Friday, striking in Preah Vihear, Kratie and Banteay Meanchey provinces, wreaking havoc and leaving hundreds of families homeless.

As well as the woman and child, a second woman was killed when she was struck by lightning, and a man died during the storm’s high winds, thunder and heavy rain.

In Banteay Meanchey alone, about 300 houses were destroyed. Officials said the figures could rise even more once official reports were filed.