At least two people were injured and 250 houses and four schools damaged by sudden strong wind early this year, according to the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).

NCDM spokesman Keo Vy told The Post on Monday that the most affected province was Battambang, followed by Pursat and Ratanakkiri.

Citing NCDM data collected within the two months of this year, Vy said the sudden strong wind phenomenon damaged 248 small and large houses in three districts of Battambang province, 22 of which were in Kamrieng district, 213 in Sampov Loun district and 15 in Kors Kralor district.

“Besides, the sudden strong wind also ravaged a rice mill, two [agricultural] product warehouses and four schools in Sampov Loun district. Two villagers in Kors Kralor district also sustained serious injuries,” he said.

Long Phalkun, the director of Battambang Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, said when the heat in the atmosphere intensifies, sudden strong wind, thunder and lightning are more likely to occur, especially during the occasional dry-season rains.

In the first two months of this year, the sudden strong wind phenomenon occurred twice in Battambang province, affecting hundreds of villagers.

“Based on the weather forecast by the Ministry of Water Resource and Meteorology, sudden strong winds, thunder and lightning will continue to occur during this dry season, especially when there are dry-season rains,” he said.

Battambang provincial governor Nguon Ratanak told The Post he had visited 160 families affected by the phenomenon in Sampov Loun district late last month and donated some food.

He called on villagers to take safety precautions in the face of rising temperatures during the dry season.