ONE person was killed and two others injured with hundreds of houses damaged during rainstorms in Battambang and Takeo provinces during the afternoon of June 28, local authorities said.

In Battambang, Ek Phnom district police chief Long Yotheavireak told The Post on June 29 that the storm had struck Prek Khpoap, Prek Norint and Prek Luong communes.

Yotheavireak said the storm killed Pin Chhouk, 67, while her husband, Nhim Ratana, 68, suffered minor injuries when their house collapsed.

“The woman was found dead by local authorities and villagers under a pile of rubble caused by a gust of wind that levelled the house. The body was clinging to a beam and several pieces of wood were pressed against her chest, and her back was broken. The husband was trapped in the debris, but only suffered scratches to his waist,” he said.

Yotheavireak added that heavy rain and strong wind that afternoon also damaged 32 houses, two of which collapsed.

In Takeo province, Tram Kak district police chief Duk Thiya told The Post that heavy rain and strong wind left one woman with minor injuries and damaged 79 houses while 323 homes had moderate damage.

“Apart from the rainstorm, lightning strikes also occurred that afternoon, killing three cows,” he said.

On June 29, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology warned that this type of weather will to occur more frequently, especially in the central lowland region, which requires people to be vigilant.

The ministry noted that Cambodia is currently under the influence of the southwest monsoon combined with a low pressure system from China, which is affecting some provinces in the central lowlands, Dangrek Mountain range and northeastern plateau with light to heavy rains, strong winds and thunderstorms, especially from July 3-6.

Coastal areas will also be affected by the weather with flash floods expected in some areas and waves reaching 2m high. Seafarers, tourists and fishermen have been warned to remain vigilant.