Lightning kills 160 in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- Death toll by lightning since early this year has reached 160, already surpassed last year's record at 114, a government official said Friday.

Keo Vy, communication officer of National Committee for Disaster Management said that since early this year, 160 Cambodians were killed by lightning, and injuring 138 others, adding lightning also killed 60 cows and buffaloes and four houses damaged.

According to Keo Vy, five provinces out of 24, were most affected by the lightning -- Pursat, Battambang, Takeo, Prey Veng and Kompong Cham. Most of the victims were living in rural areas.

Lightning occurs every year in Cambodia, which normally starts in rainy season which begins from May through October. Lightning killed 140 Cambodians in 2009 and 114 last year.

This year, Cambodia has been also affected by severe flooding that has claimed almost 250 deaths to date.