10 killed in lightning strikes

At least 10 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in four districts yesterday. Four people, including three members of a family, were killed by a lightning strike in Pabna’s Bera upazila. The incident occurred around 3:30pm in the upazila’s Pachuria village on Saturday, said Afif Anan Siddiqui, upazila executive officer (UNO). The dead were identified as Motaleb Sardar, 55, his two sons -- Farid Uddin, 22, and Sharif Uddin --, and Rohom Ali, 55. Three people in the Fulpur and Phulbaria upazilas of Mymensingh district died after being struck by lightning on Saturday noon.

The deceased were identified as Sohag Mia, 25, son of Abdul Majid of Ramsona village of Baola union of Fulpur upazila, Jamal Uddin, 40, son of Wahed Ali of Poari village of Baola union of Fulpur upazila, and Chitan

Barman, 22, son of Malin Barman of Hatilait village of Phulbaria upazila.

In Tahirpur of Sunamganj, a father and son were struck

by lightning and killed after they had gone to the river

amidst rain to catch fish. They are Haridul Islam, 45, and

Tara Mia, 10.

In Sribardi upazila of Sherpur district, Kashem Mia, 40, died in a lightning strike late on Friday.  

Last year, a record number of lightning deaths had occurred in the country. Lightning strikes mostly between March and May. Data shows at least 359 people were killed by lightning last year, breaking all previous records.

Experts say Bangladesh records the highest number of lightning deaths among the SAARC countries.

Meanwhile, at least 126 people were killed by lightning strikes across Bangladesh in May and June this year, according to data compiled by a non-government organisation.

‘Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum’ said it gathered the data from at least 10 local and national newspapers, some online portals and televisions.

The victims include 21 women, seven children and 98 men, the organisation said in a media statement on July 06.

Most of them were killed while fishing or bringing cattle back home from the field. Some of the victims died while sleeping in houses made of corrugated tin-sheet, and standing under trees.

Fifty-three people were also injured in lightning strikes during this period.

Sixteen of the deaths were reported in Kishoreganj, three in Habiganj, 10 in Rajshahi, nine in Chapainawabganj, six in Pabna, seven in Dinajpur, four in Nilphamari, four each in Jamalpur and Sherpur, six in Naogaon, five in Sirajganj, three in Moulvibazar, four in Khulna, 11 in Satkhira, and four were killed in Tangail.

 

10 killed in lightning strikes

At least 10 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in four districts yesterday. Four people, including three members of a family, were killed by a lightning strike in Pabnas Bera upazila. The incident occurred around 3:30pm in the upazilas Pachuria village on Saturday, said Afif Anan Siddiqui, upazila executive officer (UNO). The dead were identified as Motaleb Sardar, 55, his two sons -- Farid Uddin, 22, and Sharif Uddin --, and Rohom Ali, 55. Three people in the Fulpur and Phulbaria upazilas of Mymensingh district died after being struck by lightning on Saturday noon. The deceased were identified as Sohag Mia, 25, son of Abdul Majid of Ramsona village of Baola union of Fulpur upazila, Jamal Uddin, 40, son of Wahed Ali of Poari village of Baola union of Fulpur upazila, and Chitan Barman, 22, son of Malin Barman of Hatilait village of Phulbaria upazila. In Tahirpur of Sunamganj, a father and son were struck by lightning and killed after they had gone to the river amidst rain to catch fish. They are Haridul Islam, 45, and Tara Mia, 10. In Sribardi upazila of Sherpur district, Kashem Mia, 40, died in a lightning strike late on Friday. Last year, a record number of lightning deaths had occurred in the country. Lightning strikes mostly between March and May. Data shows at least 359 people were killed by lightning last year, breaking all previous records. Experts say Bangladesh records the highest number of lightning deaths among the SAARC countries. Meanwhile, at least 126 people were killed by lightning strikes across Bangladesh in May and June this year, according to data compiled by a non-government organisation. Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum said it gathered the data from at least 10 local and national newspapers, some online portals and televisions. The victims include 21 women, seven children and 98 men, the organisation said in a media statement on July 06. Most of them were killed while fishing or bringing cattle back home from the field. Some of the victims died while sleeping in houses made of corrugated tin-sheet, and standing under trees. Fifty-three people were also injured in lightning strikes during this period. Sixteen of the deaths were reported in Kishoreganj, three in Habiganj, 10 in Rajshahi, nine in Chapainawabganj, six in Pabna, seven in Dinajpur, four in Nilphamari, four each in Jamalpur and Sherpur, six in Naogaon, five in Sirajganj, three in Moulvibazar, four in Khulna, 11 in Satkhira, and four were killed in Tangail.