At least 14 people have been killed by lightning strikes across multiple districts in Bangladesh as seasonal thunderstorms swept through the country, officials confirmed on Monday. The fatalities occurred after sudden storms unleashed heavy rainfall and intense lightning activity.
Victims and Injuries
Local authorities reported that the majority of those killed were farmers working in open fields and laborers caught in exposed areas. Several other individuals sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Annual Lightning Hazard
Lightning strikes claim hundreds of lives each year in Bangladesh. In 2016, the government classified lightning strikes as a natural disaster after more than 200 deaths were recorded in May alone, including 82 fatalities on a single day. Experts attribute the rising number of lightning-related deaths to deforestation, which has eliminated many tall trees that previously helped divert lightning away from people.
Lightning fatalities are most common during the pre-monsoon months from April to June, when increasing heat and humidity create unstable atmospheric conditions. The recent storms have once again highlighted the vulnerability of outdoor workers in the region.
