A lightning bolt strikes behind Phnom Penh’s high-rise building during a storm in May. 2019. Hong Menea
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has urged the public to be alert for possible lightning and thunderstorms in some areas from Friday to next Thursday.
The ministry’s forecast for the period released yesterday said the high and low air pressure from China has been shifting to Cambodia, bringing weak to moderate rainfall to the Kingdom.
The phenomenon will bring weak to a small amount of rain to Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri from October 28-31.
“From October 25-31, the provinces of Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Phnom Penh and all coastal provinces will experience rainfall from small to moderate amount,” the ministry said.
The ministry has called on residents to be alert for possible lightning and thunderstorms, particularly in the lower plains of the provinces.
In the first eight months of 2019, a thunderstorm killed six people and injured 93, while lightning strikes killed 77 and injured 75, the
National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) spokesman Keo Vy told The Post in October.
The Calmette Hospital Facebook page had previously posted a guideline on preventative measures from lightning strikes and first-aid for victims.
The post said the cause of death during a lightning strike is a heart attack. When lightning strikes a person, the current travels through the body to the ground causing the heart muscle to stop pumping blood.
The guideline said when saving a victim, rescuers should check that the area is safe first. The victim’s breathing, pulse, and any injury to the spine must also be checked.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed on the victim until paramedics arrive. In the event of a lightning strike on a group of people, first-aid has to be given to the person who is suffering from a heart attack or breathing difficulties.
The guideline states: “The best way to protect oneself from lightning during driving is to stay in the car and not touch any electrical conduit.
“If there is space in a field, sit down 30 metres away from one another. Do not shelter under a tree. If at home, stay in the house and turn off the phone, TV, and radio.”
