"Three Killed Instantly by Lightning in Bangladesh"...297 Deaths in Eight Months of 2024

Recently, at least 14 people have been reported dead in Bangladesh due to thunderstorms accompanied by lightning strikes. Experts point out that indiscriminate deforestation, which has reduced the number of large trees that once acted as natural lightning rods, as well as inadequate use of weather information and insufficient response systems, have contributed to the scale of the damage.

On the 16th (local time), a sudden storm with strong winds swept through Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

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According to foreign media outlets such as the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on April 28 (local time), at least 14 people were confirmed dead after sudden heavy rain and lightning struck various regions of Bangladesh on April 26.

A 10-year-old boy was struck by lightning while standing on a road outside his home with two others; all three died instantly at the scene. A 22-year-old farm worker, who had only been married for eight days, was also killed while returning home after work.

According to local authorities, most of the victims were farmers working in the fields and laborers in exposed outdoor areas. In addition, several people were injured by lightning and are receiving treatment in hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition.

In Bangladesh, hundreds of people die from lightning strikes every year. Accidents are especially frequent during the pre-monsoon period from April to June, when increased temperature and humidity make the weather more unstable. Bangladesh declared lightning a natural disaster in 2016. In the eight months from February to September 2024 alone, 297 deaths due to lightning have been recorded.

Experts believe that the high number of lightning-related fatalities in Bangladesh is linked to deforestation. As the number of tall trees, which functioned as natural lightning rods, has diminished, more people are exposed to lightning strikes.

Muhammad Abul Kalam Malik, Senior Meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, stated, "The accuracy of (lightning) forecasts has greatly improved, but the issue is with the response on the ground," adding, "People receive (lightning) warnings, but many still do not change their behavior in time."

It has also been pointed out that rural laborers are particularly at risk, as storms develop so rapidly that there is little time to evacuate from the fields. Many incidents also occur when people try to protect livestock such as cattle and goats, exposing themselves to the dangers of lightning.

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