Overview of 2016 natural disasters
More than 130 people died and nearly 300 were injured in accidents caused by natural disasters across the country this year, according to a government official. Keo Vy, the cabinet chief and a spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management, told Khmer Times yesterday that three types of natural disasters happened in the country in 2016, including storms and lightning, drought and floods. He said 279 accidents had been caused by storms resulting in 21 deaths and 193 injuries. Of the fatalities, home collapses killed nine, falling trees killed three and sinking boats killed nine. “Storms completely destroyed 1,997 people’s homes and opened the roofs of 8,147 others,” Mr. Vy said. “There were 41 school buildings damaged and 43 other buildings – such as administrative buildings and pagodas – were damaged as well.” He added that lightning killed 108 people, injured 105, damaged nine houses and killed 80 head of cattle.
