Dhaka, Bangladesh – Fourteen people have died in various parts of Bangladesh following a series of violent lightning strikes that swept across the country in recent hours. This coincided with severe weather conditions and heavy thunderstorms.
Local authorities reported that the victims were in several districts, and most were laborers and farmers who were in the fields when the storms occurred. This group is considered the most vulnerable to lightning strikes during the monsoon season.
Disaster management officials explained that thunderstorms intensified suddenly, resulting in direct lightning strikes that caused deaths and injuries. This comes amidst repeated warnings about the dangers of being outdoors during such weather conditions.
Bangladesh experiences a rise in lightning fatalities annually, particularly during the summer months. The country records hundreds of deaths due to lightning strikes each year, due to its high population density. A large segment of the population also relies on agriculture for employment.
Authorities urged citizens to exercise caution and stay away from fields and open areas during storms. They also stressed the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to minimize casualties in such recurring incidents.
