United News of Bangladesh

Five people including three women were killed in lightning strikes in three upazilas of Chapainawabganj district on Thursday afternoon. They died during rainfall when lightning struck different areas of Sadar, Shibganj and Nachol upazilas. The deceased were identified as Abdullah, son of Md Rabbil of Atahar area in Jhelim union of Sadar upazila; Mahmuda Akhter, wife of Abdur Rab of Chakanrendra village in Chakkirti union of Shibganj upazila; Sadia Khatun, daughter of Abul Kashem of Ranibari-Bazarpara; Md Mesbaul, son of Fitu Ali of Shikarpur Dakshinpara in Mobarakpur union; and Sumiyara Begum of Lahabari village in Nachol upazila. Of them, three died in Shibganj upazila. Matiur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shibganj Police Station, said the three victims from Shibganj were struck by lightning while picking mangoes in orchards near their homes during rain. Shibganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mizanur Rahman said the families of the victims were given Tk 25,000 each as immediate financial assistance. Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain said lightning hit Abdullah while he was  going to the field in the rain to bring cattle. He was taken to Chapainawabganj District Hospital where doctors declared him dead. In Nachol upazila, Sumiyara Begum died by lightning strike while returning home after collecting grass from a field, said Nachol Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sukomal Chandra Debnath. Authorities said financial assistance of Tk 25,000 each will also be provided to the families of the victims in Sadar and Nachol upazilas.

At least seven people, including a woman and her son, were killed in separate lightning strikes in Gaibandha, Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat and Mymensingh districts on Wednesday. In Gaibandha, a woman and her son were killed after being struck by lightning in Saghata upazila in the evening. The deceased were identified as Kalpona Rani, 55, wife of Shailen Chandra Das of Mandura village, and their son Sohag Chandra Das, 32. Locals said Sohag, who works in Dhaka, had returned home on leave. When the weather turned stormy in the afternoon, his mother asked him to bring in straw that was left to dry outside the house. Shortly afterwards, the mother and son went outside and were struck by lightning, leaving them injured. They were taken to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital, but doctors declared them dead on arrival, said Varotkhali Union Parishad Chairman Md Faruk Hossain. In Chapainawabganj, two people were killed in as many lightning strikes in Sadar upazila in the afternoon. The victims were identified as Miraj, son of Md Babu of Bhabanipur village, and Munirul Islam, son of Md Mangal Hossain of Shiala Colony village under Chapainawabganj municipality. Family members said Miraj was packing mangoes in an orchard around 4:00pm when lightning struck him. Locals rescued and took him to Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. In a separate incident around 3:00pm, Munirul was struck by a thunderstorm while standing near his house. Relatives rushed him to the same hospital, where he was also pronounced dead. Officer-in-Charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Md Ekramul Hossain said police visited the locations after receiving the information and were taking necessary legal steps. In Joypurhat, two people, including a woman, were killed in separate lightning strikes in Sadar and Panchbibi upazilas. Joypurhat Sadar Police Station OC Noor Alam Siddiqui said Jahanara Begum, wife of farmer Harun Sheikh of Thiat Bilpara village in Dogachhi union, was struck by lightning while returning home after cutting paddy stalks. She succumbed to her injuries on the way to Joypurhat 250-bed General Hospital. In another incident, 59-year-old farmer Shamsuddin, son of late Mofiz of Kuatpur village in Panchbibi upazila, was killed by lightning during a sudden strike. In Mymensingh’s Dhobaura upazila, a teenage boy from an ethnic minority community was killed and another was injured in a lightning strike in Langaljora village. The deceased was identified as Orko Hajong, 18, son of Oshil Hajong. The injured was identified as Arkoddo, 14. According to local sources, the two friends went out to play football when lightning struck them during sudden rain. Locals rescued them and took them to Dhobaura Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Orko Hajong dead. The injured was later sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Dhobaura Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam said the body was handed over to the family following an inquest on request.

At least nine people were killed by lightning strikes in Gaibandha, Bogura, Thakurgaon, Sirajganj and Natore districts on Sunday. Among the deceased, five people died in Gaibandha and one each in Bogura, Thakurgaon, Sirajganj, and Natore. In Gaibandha, five people were killed by lightning strikes in Phulchhari, Saghata and Sundarganj upazilas of the district on Sunday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Mizanur Rahman, Manik Mia, Nambar Ali, Fuad and Rafi. Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman Mollah said Fuad and Rafi were children, as well as cousins. Dhopadanga Union Parishad Chairman Mokhlesur Rahman Mondal said that the two cousins, Fuad and Rafi, were struck while playing in the verandah of a house in South Dhopadanga village. Locals rushed them to Gaibandha General Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Farmer Manik Mia was killed by lightning while working in a field in Phulchhari upazila. Another victim, Nambar Ali, a farmer from Saghata upazila, also died in a lightning strike, said the DC. Sundarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Iffat Jahan Tuli said she was informed about the two deaths in Dhopadanga. Meanwhile in Thakurgaon, a 40-year-old woman died after being struck by lightning in Pirganj upazila of the district. 2 East West University students injured in lightning strike at DU campus The deceased was identified as Selina Akhter, wife of Md. Rashidul Islam, a resident of Niamatpur village of Saidpur union in the upazila. Selina died while working near her house in the evening, said Pirganj Police Station OC Mazharul Islam. Meanwhile, various villages in Thakurgaon district were devastated by a two-day Kalboishakhi storm on Saturday and Sunday. In Bogura, a 35-year-old farmer named Sumon was killed in Gabtoli upazila. He had gone to bring back a goat from a nearby field during sudden heavy rain when lightning struck him, killing him on the spot. An unnatural death (UD) case was filed in this regard. In Sirajganj, another farmer died after being struck by lightning while working in a field next to his home in Tarash upazila. Deceased Abdul Hamid, 50, was the son of late Gafur Ali of Betrashin village in the upazila. Tarash Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Shaha Alam said police visited the spot and legal action will be taken in this incident. A day labourer was killed after being struck by lightning in Singra upazila of Natore. The victim, Somrat Hossain, 26, was the son of Saja Fakir of Nagardala village in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj. He had come to Natore to work as a paddy harvester. Somrat was struck by lightning while working in a paddy field in the Thengapakuria area of Dahiya union in the Chalan Beel region of Singra upazila. His co-workers rescued him and took him to Natore Sadar General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Former chairman of Dahiya Union Shariful Islam confirmed the matter, citing local residents. Police in all affected areas visited the sites and said legal procedures are underway.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain in parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Monday. “Light to moderate rain/thunder showers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal & Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy falls at places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions, said a Met office bulletin. Rains, thunder showers with lightning likely in all divisions in next 24hr: BMD Southwest monsoon has advanced up to Chattogram division and conditions are favourable for further advancement, it said. A low pressure area is likely to form over North Bay of Bengal and adjoining area around 27 May. Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may fall slightly over the country.

Three people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Char Mohonpur, Boherampur and Baroghoria areas under Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Khairul Islam, son of Meghu Mondal of Char Mohonpur village in Sadar upazila; Jalal Ali of Hothatpara village in Ranihati union; and Tasbur Ali, son of Bisharat Ali of Uttar Sundarpur village in Noyalavanga union under Shibganj upazila. Quoting locals, Officer-in-Charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Motiur Rahman said Khairul was struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in a field in Char Mohonpur area. Prolonged rainfall causes severe waterlogging in Kurigram Around the same time, Jalal Ali and Tasbur Ali were hit by lightning and died on the spot while returning home with their cattle in Boherampur and Baroghoria areas. Three cows were also killed in the strikes. Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tasmina Khatun said that the upazila administration will provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

Lightning-Killed, Ld Nine people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Naogaon and Brahmanbaria districts on Sunday. In Kishoreganj three people including a college student were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Kishoreganj district on Sunday. Witnesses said, Faruk Mia, 60, of Rasulpur village in Bhairab upazila was killed when a thunderbolt struck him while he was cutting paddy in the haor areas around 4:30 pm. Three schoolgirls among 4 killed in Kishoreganj lightning strikes Meanwhile, Foysal Mia, 28, son of Yunus Mia of Srinagar union of Bhairab upazila was killed by the lightning strike while going outside during rain in the afternoon. On the other hand, Kabir Hosain, a student of Hazi Asmat College, was killed when a streak of thunderbolt struck him while working at a filed in Kuliarchar upazila in the afternoon. Dr Umme Habiba, medical officer of Bhairab Upazila Health Complex said all of them were brought dead at the hospital. In Brahmanbaria, four people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Akhaura and Nasirnagar upazilas of the district on Sunday. Quoting witnesses, police said, Abdur Razzak of Tekanagar village in Nasirnagar upazila was killed on the spot by the lightning strike while cutting paddy. Shamsul Huda of Beribadh area of the same upazila was killed when a thunderbolt struck him while working at his field. Meanwhile, two more people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Akhaura upazila of the district in the afternoon. The deceased were identified as Jamir Kha and Selim Mia. In Habiganj, Saju Mia, 20, was killed by the lightning strike while taking bath at Demikandi village of Ajmiriganj upazila on Sunday afternoon, said officer-in-charge of Ajmiriganj Police Station Shafiqul Islam. In Naogaon, a farmer was killed and another one injured by the lightning strike in Mushumba Diarapara in Manda upazila on Sunday evening. The deceased was identified as Zillur Rahman, 40, son of Ayesh Uddin of the village. Ashekur Rahman, Naogaon District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, said the local administration will provide Tk 20,000 to the family members of the deceased.    

Eleven people were killed and three others were injured by lightning strikes in Cumilla, Chandpur, Shariatpur, Habiganj, Netrakona and Kishoreganj districts on Monday. Among the deceased, four were killed in Cumilla, three in Kishoreganj and one each in Shariatpur, Habiganj, Chandpur and Netrakona district. In Cumilla, four people, including two schoolboys, were killed by lightning in Barura and Muradnagar upazilas. Witnesses said Fahad Hossain, 13, son of Khokon Mia of Poyalgaccha village and Saimon Hossain, 13, son of Abdul Barek, were killed when a streak of thunderbolt struck them while flying kites at noon in Barura upazila of the district. Both of them were class VI students of Boroharipur High School. In another incident, Nikhil Debnath, 64 and Jewel Bhuiyan, 30, son of Jashim Uddin Bhuiyan, were killed by lightning while working at their paddy fields at Korbanpur Purbapara in Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla district in the morning. In Kishoreganj, three people were killed as lightning struck them in different places. Witnesses said Fulesa Begum, 65, wife of Asrab Ali of Raniganj Kewarjor in Mithamoin upazila was killed by a thunderbolt while working outside her house at Shantiganj Haor around 8 am. Besides, Indrajit Das, 36, son of Jatindra Das of Halalpur village, was killed when a thunderbolt struck him while working at a paddy field at Halalpur haor amid rain in the morning. Meanwhile, Swadhin Mia, 14, son of Idris Mia of Khayerpur village in Astagram upazila was killed when a streak of thunderbolt struck him while cutting paddy at Khayerpur haor, said Ruhul Amin, officer-in-charge of Austagram Police Station. In Chandpur, Bishakha Rani Sarkar, 35, wife of Haripodo Sarkar of Nahara village in Kachua upazila of Chandpur district, died during rain coupled with thundershowers while collecting paddy from the field. Sohel Rana, Kachua Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said Bishakha might have died after being panicked by the lightning strike. In Shariatpur, Shefali Begum, 35, wife of Sorhab Bepari of Bepari Kandi village in Bhedarganj upazila of the district, was killed when a thunderbolt struck her while she along with her husband were returning to home after collecting grass amid rain in Shakhipur area of the upazila. She was taken to Bhedarganj Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared her dead. In Habiganj, Durbas Das, 35, were killed and three others were injured in separate incidents of lightning strike in Baniachang upazila of the district. The injured were taken to Sylher MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital, said Azadur Rahman, District Relief and Disaster Management officer. In Netrakona, Arafat, 10, a Madrasha student and son of Abdus Salam of Triosree in Madanpur upazila of the district was killed when a thunderbolt struck on him while going to the Madrasha after fazar prayer in the morning, said Motahar Hossain, member of Triosree Union of the upazila.

Five people were killed and another injured in separate lightning strikes in Chapainawabganj and Naogaon districts on Monday. In Chapainawabganj, three people, including two farmers, were killed in separate lightning strikes in Sadar, Gomostapur and Bholahat upazilas on Monday. The deceased were identified as Omar Ali, 52, a farmer from Sadar upazila’s Jamtala area, Shariful Islam, 35, a resident of Gomostapur upazila’s Prosadpur area, and Anowar Hossain, 60, a farmer from Bholahat upazila’s Mushrivuja area. Lightning kills 3 in Chapainawabganj Omar was killed as a streak of lightning hit him while working in a field, said Sadar upazila’s UNO Rowshan Ali. Anowar died when a thunderbolt struck him while working in a paddy field, said Officer-in-Charge of Bholahat police station Selim Reza. Shariful was struck by lightning while he was sitting on the porch of his house, said Gomostapur police station's officer-in-charge Mahbubur Rahman. In Naogaon, two people were killed and another injured in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Porsha and Dhamoirhat upazilas of the district in the morning. Lightning kills 2 farmers in Kushtia Zahurul Islam, officer-in-charge of Porsha Police Station, said Abdul Jabbar, 30, son of Nazrul Islam of Paschim Duarpal village, was killed and Mehedi Hasan was injured when a streak of thunderbolt struck them while catching fish in the Punarbhaba River around 6 am. Mehedi was taken to a local hospital. Meanwhile, Muminul Rahman, 22, son of Azizur Rahman of Moishar village in Dhamoirhat upazila, was killed by the lightning strike while working at a paddy field at noon, said Mozammel Haque, officer-in-charge of Dhamoirhat Police Station. 2 dead in lightning during football match in Kushtia

The government of Bangladesh has issued some precautionary measures to avoid deaths and injuries by lightning strikes, which have already been declared a national disaster. Lightning strikes kill 250 people on an average every year in the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Thunderbolts also kill or injure a large number of livestocks. Lightning strikes mostly occur in from April to May till June and most of the deaths occur in flat lands and haor areas, said a handout of PID issued on Tuesday (May 23, 2023). Nine people including a woman died after being struck by lightning in Narsingdi, Chandpur, Kurigram Brahmanbaria districts on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020. Considering the upward trend, the government in 2016 declared it as a natiinal disaster. Also read: Lightning strike kills 5 in Shariatpur, Barishal To avoid casualties, the government has asked people to take the following precaution: • Thunderbolts usually last 30 to 35 minutes and people have been asked to remain in their respective houses during this period. It is safe to go out wearing rubber shoes in case of any emergency which will protect people from thunderbolts. • People, who are in open paddy fields during thunderbolt, have been asked to sit down on their toes and put fingers in their ears. • People have been asked to take shelter under concrete sheds or buildings as soon as possible and refrain from going over the rooftop or high places during this time. • Children have been asked to refrain from playing outside and stay inside home. Read more: Lightning strike turning into deadliest disaster in Bangladesh: Experts • Avoid places where there are tall trees, electric poles and mobile towers as it is dangerous to take shelter under trees. • People should refrain from catching fish by a boat without a shed. It also asked people to stop fishing in the sea or the river during thunderbolt. • If someone is inside the vehicle, then the body cannot be connected to the metal part of the vehicle. • There is no problem touching any injured people hit by lightning strikes and people should be treated in the same way as those injured by electric shock. Efforts should be taken to restore the breathing and heart rate of the person injured by lightning quickly. It may be possible to save if artificial breathing can be arranged within a few minutes, if there is any delay it may invite death. • Provide Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to activate the heart of injured victims and take the victim to the hospital by ambulance or vehicle as soon as possible. Read more: Thunderstorm Lightning Struck Safety Tips: Stay Prepared.

At least three people were killed and 7 others injured by lightning strikes in Kushtia and Natore districts on Tuesday, police said. In Kushtia, Jahangir Alam,45, and his 15-year-old daughter Julia, of Atigram area in Mirpur upazila, were injured by lightning while working on his land near his house Tuesday morning. Locals rushed them to Mirpur upazila health complex where a physician declared Jahangir dead on arrival. Read: Over 400 BNP members booked over Faridpur clash Later, Julia was shifted to Kushtia General Hospital as her condition worsened. Ashraful Islam,40, a fisherman, was killed being hit by a thunderbolt while he was fishing in a waterbody in Moslempur of Bahirchar Union of Bheramara Upazila, said Mojibur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bheramara police station. Meanwhile, five women were injured by lightning in Chithlia Union of Mirpur Upazila Tuesday morning. The injured were admitted to Mirpur Upazila Health Complex. In Natore, a farmer was killed and another one was injured by lightning strike while they were working in a paddy field Tuesday morning. Read: ‘Robber’ lynched in Chattogram The deceased was identified as Belal Miyaji ,45, a resident of Bhavanipur village in Baraigram upazila. Belal died on the spot while injured Selim,40,was admitted to a local private hospital, said Abu Siddique, officer-in-charge of Baraigram police station.