Bangladesh, May 27, 2023 - A series of devastating lightning strikes resulted in the loss of nine lives across the districts of Narsingdi, Chandpur, Kurigram, and Brahmanbaria on Tuesday. The incidents occurred during heavy rain and thunderstorms, leaving a trail of grief and sorrow in their wake.

Among the casualties, four individuals lost their lives in different upazilas (sub-districts) of Narsingdi. The deceased were identified as Jabed Mia, 12, and Samsunnahar, 45, from Raipura upazila; Khokon Mia, 30, from Shibpur upazila; and Raihan Mia, 30, from Monohardi upazila. Raihan Mia was struck by lightning while returning home in the afternoon and succumbed to his injuries on the spot, as confirmed by Farid Uddin, officer-in-charge of Monohardi police station. Samsunnahar met her unfortunate fate while transporting paddy husk during rain, and Jabed Mia was struck while playing football, both incidents occurring earlier in the day.

Additionally, two farmers in Kurigram's Ulipur and Chilmari upazilas lost their lives after being struck by lightning. The victims were identified as Shahjalal, 45, from Ulipur upazila, and Obru Sheikh, 50, from Chilmari upazila. The tragic incidents took place while the farmers were working in their respective fields.

In Chandpur Sadar upazila, Hasan Majhi, 45, lost his life when lightning struck him while he was collecting mangoes amidst heavy rainfall. The lightning strike proved fatal for Hasan Majhi, causing great distress in the local community. The Nasirnagar upazila administration extended support to the affected family by providing Tk25,000 as assistance.

Furthermore, two laborers fell victim to separate lightning strikes in Nasirnagar and Bancharampur of Brahmanbaria district. Mojammel Huq from Nasirnagar's Goalnagar union and Monu Mia from Bancharampur's Manikpur area lost their lives in these unfortunate incidents. Another laborer was injured in one of the lightning strikes.

The lightning strikes have underscored the dangers posed by severe weather conditions during the rainy season. Local authorities and disaster management organizations are urging communities to remain cautious and take necessary precautions to minimize the risk of such tragic incidents.

As the affected families mourn the loss of their loved ones, communities and authorities are coming together to provide support and assistance. These incidents serve as a reminder of the need for continuous awareness campaigns and safety measures to prevent lightning-related casualties during adverse weather conditions.