United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued lightning alert for 16 districts, warning of gusty or squally winds accompanied by lightning flashes.According to a Met office bulletin, “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by lightning flashes and temporary Westerly and Northwesterly gusty or squally wind speed 45-60 KPH or more is likely in Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Mymensingh, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Bramanbaria, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram and Cox'sBazar during next 02-04 hrs commencing from 8:45 am on Wednesday. Met office issues lightning alert in 21 distsIt also issues some directives including to stay safe from lightning:• When storm stay indoors,• Close windows and doors• Avoid travel if possible.• Take safe shelter.• Do not take shelter under trees.• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.• Unplug electrical/electronic devices.• Immediately get out of water bodies.• Keep away from the object that conduct electricity.• When hail starts don't go outside.  

A man and a woman died after being struck by lightning in the district's Shibganj upazila on Thursday, police said. The deceased were identified as Khairul Islam, 48, and Merina Begum, 37, both residents  of Akhina in the upazila. Chowdhury Zobair Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Shibganj Police Station, said the two were struck by lightning while they were collecting mangoes in heavy rains. The two died on the spot, the OC said, adding a case of unnatural death has been filed in this connection. Read: Lightning kills 19-year-old in city Lightning strikes in Bangladesh Lightning strikes are one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh, claiming over 200 lives every year. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020. Also read: Kishoreganj farmer killed by lightning strike At least 216 people die every year on average in lightning strikes, more than by floods, cyclones and other calamities. More than 70 percent of the total lightning strikes occur between April and June, say experts.