Lightning-related casualties in Bangladesh have been steadily rising. In the last eight months (February-September) of this year alone, 297 people have died and 73 others have been injured due to lightning strikes across the country.

Among the victims, 242 were men and 55 were women. The highest number of fatalities occurred in May, according to data released by the social voluntary organization, Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF), at a press conference held at their office in Dhaka’s Topkhana Road on Saturday.

The organization’s survey revealed that lightning strikes claimed one life in February, nine in March, 31 in April, 96 in May, 77 in June, 19 in July, 17 in August, and 47 in September.

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The districts with the highest death tolls this year included Brahmanbaria with 13 fatalities, Jaipurhat with 13, Habiganj with 13, Feni with 12, and both Cox's Bazar and Gaibandha with 10 each.

Most of the victims were engaged in agricultural activities at the time of the strikes. Over the past eight months, 152 farmers lost their lives while working in fields, particularly during paddy harvesting, grass cutting, and tending to cattle. Among them, 18 died while herding cows.

Additionally, 52 fishermen were killed while at sea, 11 people while picking mangoes, 15 while traveling on empty roads, 27 while at home, three while lifting stones, 14 children while playing in their courtyards, and one individual while in a car.

Md Rashim Mollah, General Secretary of SSTF, Abdul Alim, Head of the Research Cell, Mostak Ahmed, Joint General Secretary, and Advocate Farooq Hossain, Legal Advisor were present at the press conference, among others.