PHNOM PENH: This week’s weather is taking its toll on the kingdom as the annual rainy season stubbornly refuses to end. Widespread flooding has been reported in Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey and Battambang, where a lightning strike killed 11 cows on Wednesday. Authorities are warning people that the heavy weather will be with us for at least the next five days.

According to police, the cows were grazing when the lightning struck. They were all killed instantly. The cows were owned by the Mao family in Boeung Tim Village in the district of Srok Sangke. They’ve told police they were shocked by the storm’s intensity. Many lightning strikes have been recorded across the kingdom this rainy season. Just last week, a 14-year-old girl from Siem Reap was killed by lightning.

Meanwhile, in Banteay Meanchey, more than 100 families have been evacuated. The city of Poipet has been suffering with severe flooding for days now. This has resulted in the evacuation of 116 families with water levels continuing to rise. Most of the affected families are along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Banteay Meanchey Governor, Oum Reatrey, has called on residents to be extra careful over the next few days, especially parents with young children.