Over 100 People Killed by Natural Disasters in 2023
Floods appeared to be the second deadliest natural disaster. Photo: Preah Sihanouk Administration
- By Chhum Chantha
- January 4, 2024 4:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Natural disasters killed at least 103 people and injured 243 others in 2023, said the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).
According to NCDM’s report, released on Jan. 3, lighting was the number one cause of natural disaster-related deaths. Across the country, 84 people died from lightning strikes in 2023, while 59 were injured. Lightning also killed 107 animals.
Floods appeared to be the second deadliest natural disaster. They affected all Cambodian provinces, with the exception of Prey Veng, and claimed the lives of at least 10 people.
Floods impacted 327,496 people, representing 81,874 families. A total of 52,382 houses and 242 schools were flooded along with 58 pagodas and 11 health centers. They also affected 17 businesses in Kampong Speu province.
A total of 304 sudden and strong wind cases were recorded in 2023, up 94 cases compared to 2022. They killed 9 people and injured 175.
They destroyed at least 2,034 houses and 45 administration buildings, while moderately impacting 15,449 homes.
Soth Kim Kolmony, NCDM’s spokesperson, said that natural disasters-prone provinces include Battambang, Kratie, Siem Reap, and Banteay Meanchey province
A smaller number of flood cases were recorded in 2023 compared to 2022, he added. They also had a smaller impact on people and infrastructure.
Kolmony said natural disasters are a serious threat to Cambodia and the world. Year by year, they increase in intensity and cause more damage to people’s lives, crops and infrastructure.
Cambodia is prone to flooding, lightning, strong winds and drought but experiences few earthquakes or tsunamis.
“From year to year, the number of natural disasters is increasing, which threatens the livelihood of the people, agricultural production, and is also an obstacle to national development,” said Kolmony.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Nhor Sokhoeurn for Cambodianess.
