Lightning has claimed at least 70 lives and injured 50 others so far this year, while floods have resulted in the deaths of 49 others, according to the National Committee for Disaster Management.

From the start of the year to mid-September, lightning killed 70 people in 19 provinces across the country, said Keo Vy, cabinet chief of the NCDM.

“The provinces that bore the brunt of this are Battambang, with 14 deaths, nine in Banteay Meanchey, and six in Kampong Cham, and other provinces with three or four deaths,” he said.

The number of people who died from flooding as of Sunday was 49, while 12 provinces remain affected, said Vy.

Despite the grim toll, the figures indicate a decrease in fatalities so far.

During the same period last year, 101 people died from lightning and 75 were injured, while floods in 2013 claimed the lives of 168 and injured 29, said Vy.