National Committee for Disaster Management spokesman Keo Vy told The Post on Tuesday that the number of casualties of storms and lightning strikes this year has reached 20.

Vy said the authorities were taking action to prevent further casualties and are helping those affected.

He said seven fatalities and 13 injuries due to storms and lightning strikes have been recorded. In addition, 129 houses have been completely destroyed and a further 790 have been partially damaged.

“The lightning strikes so far have killed six people and injured five others. They also killed eight farm animals and damaged two houses, while storms have killed one person and wounded eight others,” Vy said.

The storms, he said, also damaged 16 school roofs, four agriculture product warehouses, and 94 vending stalls.

He appealed to people living in vulnerable areas to be very cautious and to secure their homes to prevent them from being swept away during storms.

He said not to use cell phones and other electronic equipment before and during rains.

A Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology report issued on Tuesday said Cambodia is currently under the influence of both low and high air pressure systems, which results in rainfall levels rising from low to medium, and is accompanied by storms and lightning.