A National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) report, seen by The Post on Monday, shows that as of Monday, storms and lightning have killed three people and injured 10 others so far this year.
NCDM spokesman Keo Vy said 39 storms have occurred in 17 provinces this year, up until Monday.
Among the provinces, Battambang is the most heavily affected region, followed by Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Koh Kong, he said.
A total of 630 houses, Vy noted, had been impacted by this year’s storms, 92 of which were completely destroyed and 538 others partially damaged.
The storms also shattered the roofs of 11 schools, 95 stores and three warehouses, and injured seven people.
During the same period, lightning strikes have claimed the lives of three people, injured three others and killed two livestock.
“According to the figures, the death toll caused by lightning this year, as of Monday, decreased fourfold compared to the same period last year when 12 lives were claimed by the natural phenomenon,” Vy said.
He said during the same period last year, 20 storms occurred in nine provinces, leaving 98 houses completely destroyed and another 186 partially damaged.
In a related development, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on Monday issued a statement informing people of weather changes and reminded those who live in disaster-prone locations to exercise a high degree of caution against natural phenomena such as storms and lightning.
The statement said temperatures would hover between 34 and 37 Celcius until Friday with rain forecast across the Kingdom. As a result, from Saturday to next Tuesday, the temperatures would cool down and stay between 30 and 33 Celcius.
“Storms and lightning would occur before and during rain. Please be extremely careful with these natural phenomena,” said the statement.