More than 50 houses were left in shambles after a storm tore through Banteay Meanchey province on Tuesday.

None of the residents were injured, but 53 houses from three districts collapsed, while 355 more sustained roof damage from the rainstorm, National Committee for Disaster Management Cabinet Chief Keo Vy said yesterday.

While the destroyed homes were scattered throughout several districts, Svay Chek was hit especially hard, with 22 homes levelled by the winds, Banteay Meanchey provincial police chief Ath Khem said.

“This storm ruined the roofs and caused the houses to collapse,” Khem added. “The forces – police, soldiers and military police – have gathered and are helping to repair the roofs of the people’s houses,” he added.

Since January 1, two people have died and 13 others have been injured in Cambodia due to the sporadic storms, Vy said.

“The storms happen mostly in April and May, which is the period when the season shifts from dry to rainy season, so we have to be cautious of the unpredictable natural phenomenon,” he said.