Damaging Storms in Northwestern Cambodia

Seemingly innocent rain showers snuck in over 1,600 strong lightning strikes in Pailin, Cambodia with deadly effects during the evening of 11 March 2016. The video below, powered by Earth Networks Total Lightning Network, shows the severity of the total lightning striking the area during the hours of 1pm-8pm local time.

A flurry of both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning at approximately the 10:00 UTC time mark cover most of Palin. Lightning struck two individuals who were reportedly resting on a motorcycle during a light rain shower. One man was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was injured when a bolt of lightning struck a cell phone they were using.

Pailin covered by lightning

In addition to Pailin, these storms also caused damage in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Oddar Meanchey.

• In Banteay Meanchey, over 20 homes were reported damaged or destroyed by gusts of wind and heavy rain.
• The storm caused damage to 8 homes in Battambang’s Phnom Proek district.
• In Oddar Meanchey, over 34 homes and 3 pagodas were damaged widespread throughout the region.

Photo: www.phnompenhpost.com