One woman was killed, several villagers injured and more than 80 houses destroyed or badly damaged by storms that swept through the provinces of Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey and Mondulkiri over the weekend, provincial officials said yesterday.

Pich Sokha Lai, Puok Siem Reap district governor, said a torrential storm on Saturday lasting about an hour levelled six houses and killed a seven-months pregnant woman.

“She [victim] went to help her son who was playing under her neighbour’s house and then the house collapsed,” he said.

Cambodian Red Cross officials had yesterday delivered aid packages including rice, water, tents and money to those affected, he added.  

Ouk Keo Ratanak, spokesman at Banteay Meanchey provincial hall, said the province had been pounded by the storm over Thursday and Friday, seriously injuring three women and damaging 68 houses.

“The storm hit Malai district, Preah Netr Preah district, Poipet town and six communes in Serei Saophoan town for two days.

“I have never seen this kind of storm occur in my province,” he said, adding that it was incredible as the rainy season had not arrived yet.

A thunder and lightning storm had hit Serei Saophoan town for two hours on Friday, wrecking 39 houses, he said, adding that aid such as mosquito nets, tents and blankets had been distributed to affected villagers.

More than 10 houses were destroyed by the storm in Mondulkiri province’s Pech Chreada district, local officials said.