7 die in lightning strike in Cambodia while tropical storm makes landfall in Vietnam
A motorist avoids a fallen tree branch due to tropical storm Noul in Hue city, as the storm hits central Vietnam, Sept. 18, 2020. (AFP Photo)


A tropical storm made landfall in central Vietnam Friday, killing one, while seven people died in a lightning strike in neighboring Cambodia.

The lightning struck a wooden stilt house under which people were eating in Cambodia's northwestern Battambang province Thursday evening. The dead included a family of four, alongside three other relatives, said Keo Vy, the spokesperson for the National Committee for Disaster Management.

After hitting Vietnam, Tropical Storm Noul weakened into a depression, national television VTV reported.

The storm caused heavy rain and strong winds in several coastal provinces, uprooting trees and blowing away roofs.

Meanwhile, in the province of Hue, a man was crushed to death by a falling tree. At least 23 others were reported injured, VTV said.

Vietnam evacuated some 60,000 people in the path of the storm and canceled 40 regional flights.

The Meteorological Department in Thailand issued a warning Friday saying rains from the storm will cover every part of the country, especially northern and northeastern provinces. Local media reported heavy rain and flooding in Khon Kaen province on Friday morning.