Cambodia will receive light to moderate rainfall from March 9 to 15. The unseasonal forecast is due to a high pressure system – formed over China – interacting with a low pressure system over Thailand. This comes just days after thunderstorms struck the country, killing one and damaging several houses and schools.
In a forecast released on March 8, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology urged the public to exercise caution in the face of strong winds and lightning during this period.
The warning came just a day after thunderstorms struck the western part of the country on the evening of March 7, injuring a man and damaging several houses and schools in Banteay Meanchey province.
O’Chrou district governor told The Post that the heavy rain and strong winds damaged 21 houses and a school but there were no casualties.
“The morning after the storm, the authorities mounted operations that repaired the damaged properties – in Kandal village behind the Samrong commune hall – that were damaged by the high winds,” he said.
But in Phnom Srok district, people were not so lucky. District deputy governor Sok Rithy said that on the evening of March 7, lightning struck a 62-year-old man named Sngiep Soub, leaving him seriously injured.
“According to the victim’s relatives, he was struck in Phnom Dei commune’s Spean Kmeng village while chasing his cows home. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Phnom Srok referral hospital,” he added.
Heavy rain and strong winds also hit Banteay Chhmar commune of Thma Puok district, where six houses were damaged, according to commune chief Heng Sopheak.
He said the damaged houses had now been repaired by the army and police.
In neighbouring Siem Reap province, strong winds caused the death of a young boy and injured two women.
The storm also damaged 37 houses, two schools, a health centre and a commune police station in Svay Leu district’s Kantout commune.
Commune clerk Chhong Chhea told The Post on March 9 that the five-year-old boy was killed when his house collapsed in the storm. His mother was injured in the collapse and a neighbour was struck by flying debris.
“The authorities rescued the two from the ruins of their home, but unfortunately the young man had already succumbed to his injuries. His mother was taken to hospital for treatment,” Chhea said.
