PHNOM PENH, Dec 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — Lightning has killed 140 people this year in Cambodia, a more than 50 percent increase over the number of people killed by lightning in 2008, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the figures from the National Commiltee for Disaster Management (NCDM).
According to Keo Vy, deputy director of the department of information for the NCDM, lightning killed 140 and injured 59. In 2008, 95 were killed and 22 iujured.
“This year the number of lighting deaths increased to 140 …. In some cases, two or three people died at once,” the Cambodia Daily quoted Keo Vy as saying.
The year-end figures were finalized this month, following the end of the rainy season in November and the last death in September.
Although there is no official stance on the reason for the increased death toll, some have speculated that climate change may be to blame, the daily reported.
Another possibility floated earlier this year by meteorology experts was the spread of electronic technologies in rural Cambodia.
Tin Ponlok, national project coordinator for the Ministry of Environment’s climate change office, said Tuesday he had heard speculation that the increase in lightning deaths and injuries could be tied to climate change but no studies have been done to support the theory.
A lightning safety education pamphlet that had been distributed in years past by the government was cut this year due to a lack of funds, Keo Vy noted.
“We educated the people on how to protect themselves from lighting, such as not turning on radios or talking on phones when it rains. NCDM wanted to make the booklet to distribute to the people but we didn’t have the funds,” he said.
According to Keo Vy, deputy director of the department of information for the NCDM, lightning killed 140 and injured 59. In 2008, 95 were killed and 22 iujured.
“This year the number of lighting deaths increased to 140 …. In some cases, two or three people died at once,” the Cambodia Daily quoted Keo Vy as saying.
The year-end figures were finalized this month, following the end of the rainy season in November and the last death in September.
Although there is no official stance on the reason for the increased death toll, some have speculated that climate change may be to blame, the daily reported.
Another possibility floated earlier this year by meteorology experts was the spread of electronic technologies in rural Cambodia.
Tin Ponlok, national project coordinator for the Ministry of Environment’s climate change office, said Tuesday he had heard speculation that the increase in lightning deaths and injuries could be tied to climate change but no studies have been done to support the theory.
A lightning safety education pamphlet that had been distributed in years past by the government was cut this year due to a lack of funds, Keo Vy noted.
“We educated the people on how to protect themselves from lighting, such as not turning on radios or talking on phones when it rains. NCDM wanted to make the booklet to distribute to the people but we didn’t have the funds,” he said.
5 comments:
How come lightning never strike the corrupted people?
Sooner than you expect.
well, hok lundy got struck by lightning, wasn't he?
The three monkeys will be on the list for next year. Let wait and see.
i'm sure lightening killed people in thailand, vietnam and all over the world as well, so, stop picking on just cambodia, really! shame on you for bias toward cambodia!
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