PHNOM PENH, Aug 31, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- A public information campaign aimed at warning people over the dangers of lightning will begin as the number of reported deaths from strikes rising, local media reported Tuesday citing government officials.
So far this year, the reported deaths from lightning have climbed to 135, while there were a total of 95 lightning deaths reported last year, the Phnon Penh Post quoted Keo Vy, a communications officer with the National Committee for Disaster Management, as saying.
In addition, 151 people this year have been severely hurt by lightning, which has also killed 36 domestic cattle throughout the country, "Now we are organizing banners to educate people throughout the country in order to educate them to protect themselves against lightning," Keo Vy said. "We cannot stop lightning," he said, adding that the banners will be distributed in districts throughout the country.
Seth Vannareth, deputy general inspector and director of Department of Meteorology said that lightning strikes occur mostly between May and October. But she said that the number of reported lightning strikes did not appear to be increasing.
Seth Vannareth attributed the apparent rise in deaths to better reporting from provincial and district officials and the rising use of electrical appliances.
"Nowadays, Cambodian people are using more appliances like telephones, televisions, radios and so on, without taking care of lightning," she said.
People lack the knowledge to protect themselves from lightning.. .. Do not use the phone or turn on the radio in the middle of a rice field during a rain storm," she said , adding "do not stand under trees during a rain storm, or hold onto metal objects."
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Source: TMCNet.com
Link: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/08/31/4348234.htm
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