The number of storm-related deaths in the first six months of 2014 had fallen by more than half, according to the National Committee for Disaster Management.

From January through June, eight people were killed, down from 23 in the same period last year, Keo Vy, the cabinet director of Cambodia’s National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said yesterday. Injuries were comparable, with 80 through June compared with 87 in the first half of 2013.

“The storm and turbulence have happened less than last year, so the destruction is less than last year, too,” he said, referring to a significant decline in property damage.

Typhoon Rammasun moving towards Vietnam will cause medium rains in the next week and lead to higher levels on the Mekong, according to the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, which appealed to civilians by the water, fishermen and those travelling on waterways to be cautious.