Recently appointed Prime Minister Hun Manet at a recent CPP meeting. HUN MANET VIA FACEBOOK
Storms in the past nine months have killed 180 people, which is 107 fewer compared to the same period last year, according to data from the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).
The data shows that for the last nine months of the year, heavy rainstorms killed five people and injured 62, while 6,000 homes and buildings were damaged.
Lightning strikes killed 76 and injured 38. More than 90 cattle died while 12 houses were damaged.
NCDM spokesman Khun Sokha said it is a 40 per cent decrease from the same period last year when 287 people were killed or injured and 14,000 houses sustained damage.
“Regardless of a decline in cases, natural disasters are still a concern,” said Sokha.
Pursat province’s Krakor acting district police chief Phach Chy told The Post on Sunday that a Svay Sar commune resident, Phnom Chulsa, 23, was killed in a lightning strike on Saturday while washing his motorbike.
“We advise people to not go out of the house during rain and not to listen to the radio, watch television or use a phone during rain,” Chy said.
Takeo provincial hall administrative director Moeng Vuthy told The Post last Thursday that heavy rain and strong winds hammered Samrong and Koh Andet districts, damaging 42 houses and injuring two.
Storms caused by Typhoon Noul, a low-pressure system from the South China Sea recently killed 12 people and damaged roads and bridges in rural areas.
Hundreds of hectares of crops were flooded, according to data The Post collected from eight provinces – Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Sihanouk and Kampot.
Pursat provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology director Keo Vay told The Post on Sunday the water level in the Pursat River had reached above the emergency level as rain continues to fall in the Cardamom Mountains.
“The water level in the Pursat River reached 5.13m, which is 0.13cm above the emergency level. It may flood again if the rain continues,” he said.
Pailin Provincial Hall administrative director Un Bunly told The Post on Sunday that 50 houses in Stung Trang commune, Sala Krao district were flooded by rain and water flowing from various rivers and stream systems in Ratanak Mondol, Battambang and O’Andong districts in Pailin.
Roads in Sala Krao cannot be travelled due to flooding. People have not been evacuated and authorities are observing the situation.
