In recent years, the deaths from lightning strikes in Bangladesh have increased significantly.
At least 26 people were killed in lightning strikes in the last 18 days and around 70 others were injured. Mainly men working outdoors in villages are losing their lives in lightning strikes. As a result, many families are becoming destitute.
Some 350 people were killed in lightning strikes in 2016 and the government identified the thunderstorm as a natural disaster for the first time after many people were killed that year. Then a special plan was taken to prevent lightning and a warning programme was started. But still the death does not stop.
At least 26 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Nilphamari, Bhola, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, Thakurgaon, Chuadanga, Rajshahi, Kustia, Faridpur and Kishoreganj districts from May 1 to May 18. Out of these, some 10 people were killed on May 18 in a single day. Most of the victims were farmers who were struck by lightning while working or going to work in the crop fields. In 2020, more than 250 people died. In 2019, the number was around two hundred. There are fears of more deaths this year. Because lightning occurs in Bangladesh from March to June.
Dr. Khondoker Mokaddam Hossain, Professor (Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies) of Dhaka University told Bangladesh Post,” Lightning is a normal occurrence. It has happened before, but in recent times it has increased. Bangladesh has the highest number of lightning strikes in South Asia. On an average, about 300 to 400 people die in lightning strikes every year.”
"There are two main reasons for this situation. Due to global warming, the weather and climate have changed drastically. As a result, the type and timing of rainfall has changed. Storms ‘Kalbaishakhi’ have also increased. And the number or amount of lightning has also increased. On the other hand, there were a lot of tall trees including palm, banyan etc in villages across the country. If lightning struck in the usual way, these tall trees would be able to absorb it. But now that it is not there, when lightning strikes open fields, it becomes the cause of human death. Although there are no trees in the city, there are high-rise buildings. As a result, the people of the city are getting relief from this death,” he added.
According to a study titled ‘Risk Factors and Social Vulnerability’ by Thomas W. Smidlin, Professor of the Department of Geography at Kent State University of United States, "Every year from March to May, there are 40 thunderstorms per square kilometer in Bangladesh. The media reports about 150 deaths a year, but in reality the number is between 500 and 1,000.
Md. Atiqul Haque, Director General, Department of Disaster Management told Bangladesh Post, ``Lightning has been increasing over the last few years, considering this, we have taken up ‘Haor Management Enhancement Project’ with the local government. Under this project, Lightning Arresters will be set up in the fields of Sunamganj, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria and its adjoining areas. So that the farmer can take refuge there. The Lightning Arrester will be accompanied by a special software that will detect lightning in the area half an hour in advance. The DPP of this project has been prepared and sent to the Ministry. The work of the project starts after getting the approval of the Ministry and ECNEC.”
“However, the second phase under the project will be started in the ‘Bandra’ area in north Bengal of the country and the third phase will be started in ‘Chalanbil’ of Nator, Pabna and adjacent areas. We are also trying our best to create awareness and protection against lightning damage through other measures,” he said.
Researchers or environmentalists believe that it is just as important to complete the earthling process in rural or urban areas. Besides, it is necessary to stop cutting down trees unnecessarily and plant many more trees.
According to experts, the way the earthing system can be connected to the way mobile towers are being installed in every village can play a role in preventing lightning deaths.
The ‘Foundation for Disaster Forum’ has been researching lightning for a long time. They report that the number of people injured in the lightning strikes is unknown. However, it is estimated that four to five times more people were injured than killed.
Although the families of those killed in the lightning strike have been given a one-time financial assistance of only Tk 20,000 from the government, the long-term treatment of hundreds of helpless people is still largely neglected.
