Bangladesh has been hit by severe thunderstorms following a prolonged heatwave, resulting in at least 14 deaths from lightning strikes across seven districts. Authorities have warned that rain will continue with a risk of flash flooding.
At least 14 people have died and several others injured in multiple areas of Bangladesh after continuous thunderstorms struck following a heatwave lasting over a week.
Reports indicate fatalities in at least seven districts: Gaibandha, Bogura, Natore, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Jamalpur, and Sirajganj. Particularly in Gaibandha, five people died, including two children.
Lightning strikes occurred across various locations, mostly affecting farmers working outdoors, such as in Jamalpur and Sirajganj, where farmers were struck while working in the fields. Some died while traveling home or engaging in outdoor activities.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department stated that the rainfall helped alleviate the heatwave that had affected 24 districts previously, where temperatures reached 35–40 degrees Celsius. However, rain is expected to continue for several days with the possibility of additional thunderstorms.
Although the rain eased the heat, hailstorms in some areas caused damage to agricultural yields, particularly rice close to harvest, resulting in losses for farmers.
Meanwhile, the country's flood forecasting and warning center issued flash flood warnings for low-lying northeastern areas, with water levels in major rivers expected to rise over the next three days.
A thunderstorm safety campaign organization revealed that Bangladesh averages about 300 lightning-related deaths annually, mostly occurring from April to June, during the summer and early monsoon seasons.
Experts say a major cause of the high death toll is a lack of safety awareness. They advise farmers to avoid outdoor work during storms and to wear protective gear like rubber boots to reduce lightning risk. This situation reflects increasing risks from extreme weather, which continue to impact the lives and livelihoods of people in Bangladesh.
. SourceAnadolu/The Daily Star