United News of Bangladesh

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.

A man and woman died after being struck by lightning strikes in Manikganj and Khulna districts on Monday.In Manikganj, a 50-year-old woman was killed when a thunderbolt struck her in Manikganj's Ghior upazila on Monday noon.The deceased was identified as Anwara Begum, wife of Ishak, a farmer of Charbaijuri village in Payla Union. Read: ‘Robber’ lynched in ChattogramMd Aminur Rahman, officer in charge of Ghior police station, said Anwara was struck by lightning while collecting grass for cows in the field next to her house.She died on the spot, the OC said, adding that they are investigating the matter.In Khulna, a fisherman was killed by a lightning strike in Koyra upazila of Khulna district on Monday.Shahidul Gazi, 59, died on the spot while working in his fish enclosure at Patlia Bill, said local UP member Aybur Rahman Sana.Lightning strikes in BangladeshLightning strike is one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh, claiming over 200 lives every year. Read: Fatal level crossing: Mother, son killed as train hits human hauler in Faridpur According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020.That means 216 people die every year on average from lightning strikes -more than in floods, cyclones and other calamities.More than 70 percent of the total lightning strikes occur between April and June, say experts.

At least 12 people were killed, and two others injured by lightning strikes in Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Lalmonirhat, Sirajganj and Keraniganj districts Friday, police said. The number is the year's highest single-day death toll caused by lightning strikes, the last addition to the government's list of natural disasters in Bangladesh.  In Mymensingh, six people, including three children, were killed as they were struck by lightning in different parts of the district. Sayed Mian, 12, Swadhin, 11, and Shaon,7, of Kankarhati village in Nandail upazila died while playing football as a thunderbolt struck them down. Also, two fishermen were killed in a lightning strike while they were fishing on a nearby waterbody in Balapara, Mymensingh Sadar. The deceased were identified as Abu Bakkar, 40, and Jahangir Alam, 32, of the area, said Shah Kamal Akand, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station. Abu Sayed, 30, was injured by a lightning strike while fishing at Ghogra Beel in Dhobaura upazila during rain. He died while being rushed to Dhobaura Upazila Health Complex, said Tipu Sultan, officer-in-charge of Dhobaura Police Station. In Sirajganj, a businessman was killed and two workers injured when a thunderbolt struck them down in River Jamuna River in Sadar upazila. "The deceased was identified as Razzak Munshi, 50, from Katangar Char, Sadar upazila. The injured are Saiful, 28, and Shamim, 32, of Ekdala area of the upazila," Mohammad Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar Police Station, said. In Keraniganj, a teenage boy was killed after being hit by lightning while playing football in the Rohitpur area. The deceased was identified as Sajib Sarker, 18, of the area, said Abu Salam Miah, officer-in-charge of Keraniganj Model Police Station. In Lalmonirhat, Abdul Motin, 52, a fisherman from Hatibandha upazila was killed after being hit by lightning while fishing, said Abul Hashem Talukder, chairman of Saniajan union of the upazila. In Bogura, a farmer was killed after being hit by lightning while working in his paddy field. The deceased was identified as Tojbel Hossain, 70, from Elangi union of Dhunat upazila, Tojammel Haque, chairman of Elangi Union Parishad, said. In Sherpur, a 35-year-old man was killed after being struck by lightning in Nakla upazila in the early hours of Friday, police said. The deceased was identified as Showkat Ali of the area. He was an office assistant at Kayda Uttar Government Primary school. According to family sources, Showkat along with his younger brother Mehedi Hasan went to repair pond edges to stop the fishes in the body of water from getting washed away. At that time, Shawkat was struck by lightning. He was declared dead after being rushed to Upazila Health Complex, said Mohammad Mushfiqur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Nakla Police Station. In Jamalpur, a 15-year-old boy died after being struck by lightning in Sarishabari upazila while catching fish. Shakil, a ninth-grader, was declared dead after being rushed to the hospital, Dr Debasish Rajbongshi, resident medical officer of Sarishabari Upazila Health Complex, said. Read: Lightning kills 2 in Chapainawabganj

Six including two adolescents were killed and three others were injured as lightning struck them on Tuesday at different places of Tangail, Brahmanbaria, Meherpur and Habiganj. In Tangail, three including two juveniles were killed and two others wounded at Hatia under Kalihati upazila as a streak of thunderbolt struck them while bathing in the New Dhaleshwari River around 9am. The deceased were identified as Md. Arif Mia 15, son of Rabiul,  Mostafa Kamal, 21, son-in-law of Abdur Razzak of Hatia village, and Faisal Udddin, 16, son of Zulhas Uddin of Dashkia Purbopara village under Dashkia union. The injured are Rakib Mia and Zahid Hossain.  Confirming the news, Dashkia union parishad chairman Malek Bhuiyan said the injured two are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Read: Lightning strike kills 2 in Dinajpur In Brahmanbaria, youth Rony Mia, 22, son of late Mohammad Ali of Durgapur of the municipality was killed as lightning struck him while he was offering prayer at the grave of his grandparents after Eid Jamaat in the morning.  In Meherpur, a man named Abdur Razzak was killed and his brother Montu was injured as a thunderbolt struck them at Monohurpur village under sadar upazila in the morning while they were going to the local Eidgah maidan to join the Eid congregation. Meherpur General Hospital residential medical officer Moklesur Rahman confirmed the matter to UNB. In Habiganj, lightning struck Shahjahan Mia, 60, while he was bathing in a pond of Azmeriganj in the morning.