Lightning strikes kills 300 every year across Bangladesh, deaths highest in northeast

An average of 300 people die from lightning strikes in Bangladesh each year, with the highest number of fatalities reported in the northeastern districts of Sunamganj, Netrokona and Sylhet.

The data was shared on Tuesday afternoon during a joint discussion held at the Storm Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The meeting aimed to expand outreach on early lightning alerts now being issued with the support of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), a private research body.

Presenting the keynote, meteorologist Khan Md Golam Rabbani of RIMES said: “Typically, lightning occurs due to the collision of smaller and larger water droplets inside a special type of cloud called cumulonimbus.

“According to the disaster management and relief ministry, recent years have seen an average of nearly 300 deaths annually from lightning.”

“Sunamganj, Netrakona and Sylhet are the most lightning-prone districts in Bangladesh,” he added.

Rabbani explained that in the country’s northeastern regions, lightning is most frequent during April and May, with farmers being the worst affected.

“These incidents mostly happen in the morning or evening when farmers go to or return from their fields,” he said. “Awareness, advanced warning systems such as nowcasting and forecasting, and lightning-resistant shelters or homes can significantly reduce fatalities.”

On Apr 28 alone, 15 people died in lightning strikes across nine districts.

Explaining the increasing trend in lightning fatalities, Rabbani referred to a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) report.

“Population growth, heightened media attention, and increased storm activity due to climate change are among the reasons,” he said.

The report also noted that if global temperatures rise by 1°C in the future, lightning frequency could increase by 10 percent.

Rabbani said a single lightning strike can generate temperatures of up to 27,000°C—five times hotter than the surface of the sun. “A typical lightning bolt produces around 300 million volts and 30,000amp, compared to only 120V and 15amp used in most homes.”

From 2016 to 2023, Bangladesh recorded about 120 lightning strikes per square kilometre annually. One-third of these struck the ground, according to data presented at the seminar.

He outlined several safety tips to survive lightning:

>> Upon spotting dark clouds or hearing thunder, take shelter indoors or in a designated safe structure. Remain there for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

>> Do not work in fields during lightning. If caught outside without shelter, crouch low with minimal ground contact—never lie flat.

>> Avoid gathering in groups in open spaces. Spread out instead.

>> Stay away from water bodies. If in a boat, seek shelter under the canopy. If no cover exists, crouch low with limited contact on the boat’s surface and stop fishing.

>> Do not take shelter under trees.

>> Avoid high ground during storms.

>> Stay away from electric poles and damaged wires.

>> While indoors, stay away from rooftops, doors, and windows. Avoid touching window grills. Keep doors and windows shut.

>> Do not touch bathroom taps, kitchen sinks, pipes, wired telephones or any electrical appliances plugged into the mains. Using a plugged-in television during lightning is unsafe.

>> During lightning, avoid staying under tents, sheds, open-sided structures, or metal-built passenger shelters in open areas.

>> Touching a lightning victim is completely safe. They should be taken to the hospital immediately.