PHNOM PENH — A surge in lightning strikes and severe storms has killed at least 16 people across Cambodia in the past four months, prompting urgent warnings from disaster officials as the country heads deeper into what is expected to be a volatile rainy season.

The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) said the frequency and intensity of natural hazards—particularly lightning strikes and powerful winds—are rising this year, reflecting the country’s growing vulnerability to the climate crisis.

“Cambodia is experiencing more natural disasters this year, particularly lightning strikes and strong winds,” said NCDM spokesperson Soth Kimkolmony.

According to a recent report he cited on May 12, lightning has struck at least 30 times between January and May, killing 12 people, injuring 16, and resulting in the deaths of 21 cows and buffaloes. The strikes also damaged six homes.

Meanwhile, strong winds—often linked to localized storms and squalls—have been reported in at least 107 separate incidents. These have claimed four more lives, injured 15 people, and caused widespread destruction, damaging 28 school buildings and 267 houses across multiple provinces.

The latest lightning strike turned deadly on the afternoon of May 12, when two men aged 38 and 35 were killed in Banteay Meanchey province’s Svay Chek district, according to local media outlet Dap News. Their deaths add to a growing toll that has already surpassed last year’s figures.

Kimkolmony warned that more deadly weather events are likely in the weeks ahead as Cambodia moves further into its annual rainy season.

“The figure indicates a significant rise in natural disaster cases compared to 2024. Based on the actual situation, there will be more of these disasters, which will continue until the rainy season is over,” he said.

To mitigate the risks, the NCDM is working closely with subnational and local authorities to prepare for emergency response, particularly in disaster-prone areas. The agency has also been ramping up its early warning systems and public awareness campaigns.

“We also have been working on boosting our monitoring and early warning system so that we can provide timely information to our people to prepare and remain safe,” Kimkolmony added.

Cambodia’s exposure to climate-linked disasters is among the highest globally. The country ranks 12th on the 2020 Global Climate Risk Index, which tracks nations most affected by extreme weather events. In recent years, Cambodia has been battered by increasingly erratic climate patterns, including catastrophic floods, prolonged droughts, and record-breaking heat waves.

Experts have long warned that climate change is intensifying the severity of natural disasters across Southeast Asia. For Cambodia—a largely agrarian country where millions depend on seasonal rainfall—the impact is particularly stark.

The government has called on the public to stay informed through official weather alerts and avoid taking risks during storms, especially in rural areas where most lightning deaths occur. Communities are also being urged to reinforce homes and schools, and to develop localized response plans.

As the rainy season peaks in the coming months, disaster officials say vigilance and preparedness will be critical in minimizing further loss of life.