One woman was struck and killed by lightning while four others were injured in Nam Tao commune in Banteay Meanchey province’s Phnom Srok district on May 14, according to a local police official.

Phnom Srok district police chief Yort Sophal identified the woman as Lean Salorn, a 25-year-old resident of the commune’s Khnang village.

Her husband and siblings were injured while they were travelling on a home-made truck to a cassava farm about 5km away from the village during a rainstorm. The incident happened in the afternoon of May 14.

He said the injured people were the woman’s husband Man Meas, 31, her brother Lean Ratanak, 31, and two children aged 13 and 3.

Ratanak told The Post that about half way to the farm, a rainstorm started. They covered the truck with a tent and continued the journey. Lightning then struck the group, killing Salorn instantly.

“For now, my brother-in-law and my cousin are still being treated at hospital,” he said.

According to the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), from January 1 to April 30, lightning strikes had claimed 19 lives, injured five and killed 21 cattle.

NCDM spokesman Khun Sokha has appealed to people living in low-lying areas to be careful during the rainy season as lightning is common.

“Early this rainy season, thunderstorms occur often in low lying and rainfall areas. So, people living in these areas should not use electronic and metallic devices as they conduct electricity easily in rainy weather,” he said.

He added that that during thunderstorms, people should stay inside and not venture into rice fields where water pools when it rains, especially do not take shelter under a big tree.