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Lightning strikes have killed 50 people in Cambodia in the first eight months of the year, down nearly 22% from 64 deaths over the same period last year, a disaster control spokesman said on Saturday.

Besides the fatalities, thunderbolts injured 43 others during this year, said Soth Kim Kolmony, the spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).

He said the provinces with the highest number of lightning strikes were Siem Reap, Battambang, Prey Veng, Tboung Khmum, and Banteay Meanchey.

"To avoid the danger of lightning strikes, people, particularly those living in rural areas, should stay in their houses or shelters when there is a storm," he told Xinhua.

In addition to the casualties from lightning strikes, storms also claimed four lives, injured 32, and caused damage to 482 houses during the period, according to the spokesperson.

Cambodia on Monday launched a national action plan for disaster risk reduction (2024-2028), aiming at minimising the impacts of disasters on people, the economy, and society.

"This action plan is a roadmap to build a safe and resilient community for sustainable national development with the common goal of reducing the loss of lives, economic loss, and damage to infrastructure," Senior Minister and NCDM's first Vice President Kun Kim said at the launching event held in Phnom Penh.

Xinhua