Lightning Protection Out of Reach for Many at Risk

A July report from the National Committee for Disaster Management noted that strikes have killed at least 350 people in the last three years. (Photo: Reuters)

Suy Heimkhemra, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Thursday, 19 August 2010

“I know about the lighting system that is being used to protect people from lighting, but on behalf of farmers, I say I don’t have the ability to buy it.”

At his store on Kampuchea Krom Blvd. in Phnom Penh, Liu Meng seems busy with customers, as he introduces them to lightning protection measures and warns them against the dangers of strikes.

The need for protection is increasing, he tells his customers, and the dangers of lightning are growing.

It is true that Cambodia has seen an increase in deaths due to lightning. A July report from the National Committee for Disaster Management noted that strikes have killed at least 350 people in the last three years.

And there are at least five companies like Liu Meng’s that sell systems capable of drawing a lightning strike and safely grounding it.

However, such a system can cost between $950 and $2,500. That puts protection out of reach for many poor or rural Cambodians—those who are most at risk.

“I know about the lighting system that is being used to protect people from lighting, but on behalf of farmers, I say I don’t have the ability to buy it,” said farmer Um Ngoy, who lives in Kandal Sreng district, Kandal province.

The high cost of the systems mean they are generally installed for the well-off, in places like new villas.

That means people like motorcycle taxi driver Sok Sovannara, who plies the streets of Phnom Penh looking for fares, remain in danger. Lightning incidents are “terrible,” he told VOA Khmer, but without money to buy protection, he would stay at risk.

That might not have to be so, said Prach Meanith, who imports lightning protection equipment for a company in Phnom Penh. Farmers can pool their money together to protect certain areas of a village, he said.

For people like Kong Cheak, a Phnom Penh resident who recently bought a protection system, the costs are worth it. It can protect his life and the life of his family, he said.

Heng Po, a lightning protection expert, said the trend is catching on in the provinces, especially in Battambang, Kampong Cham and Preah Sihanouk.

A person who fears a lightning strike can also protect himself the old fashioned way.

Lightning generally occurs at the beginning of the rainy season, or in unexpected storms, said Keo Vy, chief of the National Committee for Disaster Management.

When such storms occur, people should stay inside and avoid any large trees at a distance of at least 4 meters, he said. Those in vehicles should stop their cars and take their hands off the steering wheel.

And for farmers caught in the fields, he said: lie down, lower than a paddy dike.

As lightning deaths soar, Cambodians look to superstition

PHNOM PENH, Jan 16 (AFP) - Pang Nop was pedalling his bicycle home through a light drizzle when he paused to pick up some stones for his slingshot. As he did, the sky flashed and he fell to the ground, dead.

"Suddenly we saw him lying down," said Uy Saroeurn, the boy's uncle who was planting rice in a nearby field.

The 14-year-old had died instantly, a big bruise on the back of his neck.

Pang Nop had become one of 95 Cambodians killed by lightning last year, more than double the 2007 total of 45 lightning fatalities and the highest-ever annual tally in the country.

"Most of the people killed are farmers who continue to work in rice paddies or herd cattle during rainstorms," says Long Saravuth, a weather expert at Cambodia's Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.

"Those people should be highly alert to the problem, but they don't try to find shelter when it rains."

The tropical Southeast Asian country of lazy rivers and lakes is particularly prone to cloud formations which generate intense lightning storms, said Long Saravuth.

These formations can hover just 50 metres (164 feet) above the earth, and anyone underneath is vulnerable to lightning strike.

As the country's rainy season drew to a close, local newspapers seemed to carry reports on new lightning deaths nearly every day -- farmers, fishermen, and football players have all recently been hit.

Worried Cambodians hope 2009 will offer respite. The country only began compiling lightning statistics two years ago after an increase in reports of deaths.

Some Cambodians have searched science and religion to explain the phenomenon, with many of the country's 14 million people believing lightning is connected to supernatural forces.

"The lightning last year was more fierce than ever before. I'm worried I might be the next victim -- but I believe if we do good deeds, we avoid lightning and bad luck," said Cheng Chenda, a housewife in Phnom Penh.

In his office at the Buddhist Institute, advisor on mores and customs Miech Ponn said many Cambodians believe people with moles on their calves are susceptible to lightning strikes, as are people who have broken promises.

Cambodians also use mystical cures for those who have been struck.

When he found Pang Nop's body, Uy Saroeurn carried it to the boy's mother who quickly covered her son with a white cloth in the hope that it would revive him.

"To resuscitate a victim, Cambodian villagers drape the person's body with a white cloth, or jump over it three times, or place the victim in a bed and light a fire under the bed," said Miech Ponn, who believes these techniques can work.

But how to explain the mysterious jump in lightning deaths?

Miech Ponn said the surge in fatalities caused by lightning was predicted by Cambodia's chief royal astrologer Kang Ken, and that the country is now prone to more natural disasters.

"The increase in lightning deaths was caused by deterioration of nature and a religious prophecy that said it was a bad luck year," Miech Ponn said.

Hard science gives a slightly different explanation.

Over the past two years the country has had particularly heavy rainy seasons from May to November, which might be partly explained by global climate change, said Long Saravuth, the weather expert.

Meanwhile Anthony Del Genio, a scientist at the US space agency NASA, said the incidence of lightning deaths in 2008 did not point to a climate change cause because the timeframe was too short.

The best guess was that warmer and drier weather earlier last year had created conditions for more vigorous lightning storms.

"Natural phenomena like lightning are out of control and mostly cannot be predicted," Long Saravuth says.

So even weather scientists concede that the millions of superstitious Cambodians could be onto something when they say that, with luck, 2009 will be a better year.

Cambodians look to the heavens to explain lightning deaths

Friday, January 16, 2009
ABC Radio Australia

Lightning strikes killed 95 Cambodians last year, prompting both scientific and superstitious searches for the cause.

The tropical Southeast Asian country of lazy rivers and lakes is particularly prone to cloud formations which generate intense lightning storms, said Long Saravuth, a weather expert at Cambodia's Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.

These formations can hover just 50 metres above the earth and anyone underneath is vulnerable to lightning strike.

As the country's rainy season drew to a close, local newspapers seemed to carry reports on new lightning deaths nearly every day.

"Most of the people killed are farmers who continue to work in rice paddies or herd cattle during rainstorms," said Mr Saravuth.

"Those people should be highly alert to the problem, but they don't try to find shelter when it rains," he said.

Very superstitious

Cambodians have searched science and religion to explain the phenomenon, with many of the country's 14 million people believing lightning is connected to supernatural forces.

"The lightning last year was more fierce than ever before. I'm worried I might be the next victim - but I believe if we do good deeds, we avoid lightning and bad luck," said Cheng Chenda, a housewife in Phnom Penh.

In his office at the Buddhist Institute, advisor on mores and customs, Miech Ponn, said many Cambodians believe that people with moles on their calves are susceptible to lightning strikes, as are people who have broken promises.

Cambodians also use mystical cures for those who have been struck.

"To resuscitate a victim, Cambodian villagers drape the person's body with a white cloth, or jump over it three times, or place the victim in a bed and light a fire under the bed," said Miech Ponn, who believes these techniques can work.

Miech Ponn said the surge in fatalities caused by lightning was predicted by Cambodia's chief royal astrologer, Kang Ken, and that the country is now prone to more natural disasters.

"The increase in lightning deaths was caused by deterioration of nature and a religious prophecy that said it was a bad luck year," said Miech Ponn.

Hard science gives a slightly different explanation.

Over the past two years the country has had particularly heavy rainy seasons from May to November, which might be partly explained by global climate change, said Long Saravuth, the weather expert.

Meanwhile, Anthony Del Genio, a scientist at the US space agency NASA, said the incidence of lightning deaths in 2008 did not point to a climate change cause because the timeframe was too short.

The best guess was that warmer and drier weather earlier last year had created conditions for more vigorous lightning storms.

Hok Lundy’s chopper hit by lightning: Hun Sen's favorite curse bounced back on his close henchman?

Top cop died in helicopter crash in Svay Rieng province

09 Nov 2008
By Chivita and Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Four-star general and national police commissioner Hok Lundy died in a helicopter crash in the evening of 09 November 2008 in Svay Rieng province.

Four passengers were on the private helicopter trip from Phnom Penh to Svay Rieng, including General Sok Saem, deputy army commander, and two pilots. All four died in the crash. The following is the report provided by Sok Serey based on questions asked by Chivita.

Chivita: We learned that police commissioner Hok Lundy died from the helicopter crash, how much can you confirm it?

Sok Serey: I received the official confirmation from Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the government spokesman, at about 10:30 PM (Cambodia time). Mr. Khieu Kanharith confirmed that 4-star general Hok Lundy died during the helicopter crash incident while traveling from Phnom Penh to Svay Rieng during a private trip in a private helicopter.

Chivita: Do you know where for sure the crash took place, and how was the crash?

Sok Serey: The source from whom I received the latest news indicated that the crash was in Bavet district, Svay Rieng province, near the plane landing zone in Bavet district, Svay Rieng province.

Chivita: How did the helicopter crash? What about the remains?

Sok Serey: According to a police official from the Khan 07 Makara, who was stationed at General Hok Lundy’s home, he claimed that the helicopter was about to land, but it was hit by lightning and the helicopter exploded into pieces. Hok Lundy’s remain is not in one piece anymore, it was blown into pieces because the helicopter was shattered into pieces after the lightning hit it before landing.

The remains of the 4 passengers included: the two pilots, General Sok Saem, and General Hok Lundy. Hok Lundy’s body was transported from Svay rieng to Neak Loeung in direction to his home in Phnom Penh.

Chivita: Regarding the timing, can you tell us when the crash took place?

Sok Serey: According to a source close to the case, he claimed that it took place past 7PM (Cambodia time).

Chivita: Did PM Hun Sen react or say anything about Hok Lundy’s death?
Sok Serey: Up until now, I followed news on all TV and radio stations in Cambodia, but there is no statement from PM Hun Sen yet. There is no statement issued by high ranking government officials either, but what is known is that there is an upheaval among mid-level police officers and district police officers who held meetings about the reception of Hok Lundy’s body which is transported from Svay Rieng to Phnom Penh.

Chivita: What about the remains of General Sok Saem and the two pilots?

Sok Serey: My source did not say anything about the other passengers involved in the accident, he only said that Hok Lundy’s remain is currently being brought over. The source seems to indicate that the other remains may be transported back together.

Chivita: In the plane, was there any relative of Mr. Hok Lundy?

Sok Serey: There is no official source indicating whether Mr. Hok Lundy’s relatives were traveling with him.

Lightning kills three players in Cambodian football match

Tuesday July 1, 2008
Angela Balakrishnan and agencies
guardian.co.uk

A lightning bolt killed three Cambodian football players and put three others in hospital at a match in the south-east Asian nation's capital played during a monsoon season thunderstorm, officials said today.

The president of the Cambodian Soccer Federation, Sao Sokha, told Reuters the victims, all in their 20s, were taking part in a tournament organised by the government to introduce youngsters to the game and to build the strength of the national team.

Players and coaches are now being warned not to play on fields while thunderclouds loom overhead, a regular occurrence during the May-October rainy season.

"We encourage children to play the game, but they should not do so during bad weather," Sao Sokha said.

Keo Vy, of the national disaster committee, said 40 people had been killed by lightning in Cambodia so far this year, nearly as many as the total killed for the whole of 2007.

Lightning struck ship bearing Cambodia flag of convenience, killed 7

6/2/2007
Lightning Kills Seven Sailors Off Coast Of Benin

Story by Rose Hayford Darko
Graphic Ghana (Ghana)

Lightning has killed six Ghanaian sailors and their Ukrainian captain off the Atlantic Coast of Benin.

The six are Henry Ebow Crentsil, leader of the ratings, Akontey Francis, welder, Robert Aryee, seaman, Enoch Mark Eshun, seaman, Samuel Odai Adjetey, seaman, and Ekey Robert, steward.

The bodies of Aryee, Eshun, Adjetey and Ekey have been retrieved but those of the Ukrainian captain, identified as Nasonov Volodymr, Crentsil and Akontey are still missing.

Twenty-two of the crew, comprising 19 Ghanaians, two Ukrainians and one Romanian, however, survived the tragedy which occurred last Tuesday when lightning struck the Cambodia-registered oil tanker 200 nautical miles from the coast as a result of a storm which also swept through Ghana the same day.

The 30,000-tonne oil tanker, MT North Sea, owned by Atlantic Oil Maritime S.A., with 29 crew members on board, had finished offloading oil from Nigeria onto another vessel when it was struck by the lightning.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tema, the Harbour Master, Captain Victor Jonah, said on Wednesday he had a distress call on the disaster from the agent for the vessel, Atlas Services Limited.

He said a Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority tug, the Manhean, was, therefore, sent out to rescue the sailors.

Captain Jonah said a sister vessel of the tanker, the MT April, was called to convey the survivors and the four retrieved bodies to meet the tug which, in turn, conveyed them to the port.

He said the police were informed about the accident and the dead were conveyed to the Police Hospital, while the 22 survivors were sent to the Caiquo Hospital in Tema for medical attention.

Captain Jonah said the Ukrainian and Romanian survivors had been put in some hotels in Tema, awaiting documentation to be flown home, while the 19 Ghanaian survivors had also been given accommodation to overcome the trauma before they would be sent home.

The Port Captain of Atlas Services Limited, Captain Seth Aboagye, who called at the offices of the Daily Graphic in Accra, confirmed the incident.

According to him, the parent company of Atlantic Services Limited, known as Atlantic Oil Maritime S.A. based in Greece, received a distress message from Lloyd’s Casualty Department, an insurance company in the United Kingdom which monitors the movement of ships with insurance policy with it, that thunder and lightning had struck the vessel, resulting in the death of some members of its crew.

He said the survivors were initially picked by another vessel, the Toledo Spirit, before arrangements were made to send another vessel, the M/T April, to bring them to Tema.

According to Captain Aboagye, the Ukrainian captain and two other Ghanaians whose bodies were yet to be retrieved were affected by an explosion which occurred as a result of the lightning and thunder.

He said the remaining four persons who died were believed to have been trapped by fenders.

Captain Aboagye described the incident as painful and sad and advised the families of the victims to contact Atlas Services Limited for any additional information concerning their relatives.

The Director of the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (CERSGIS), Dr Amamoo Otchere, when contacted on recent lightning tragedies in the country, called for the mandatory installation of lightning arrestors on buildings, particularly school buildings, because of the high population density in them at particular times.

Lightning kills 4 in Cambodia

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Kyodo News

PHNOM PENH — An unusually strong lightning storm left four people dead and more than 300 houses destroyed in Cambodia's northwest last week and earlier this week, a government official revealed Wednesday.

Three women were killed in two villages in Battambang Province by lightning strikes while they were attending cows in rice fields, and a man in neighboring Banteay Meanchey Province was also killed by a lightning strike, Nhem Vanda, first vice president of Cambodia's National Committee for Disaster Management, said.