Nine Die, 12 Injured In a Single Day by Lightning Strikes

Lethal thunderbolt strikes have become frequent these days than ever before. It is occurring so frequently that on Saturday alone at least nine people were killed in Sunamganj, Rangpur, Netrokona, and Kishoreganj districts. Several others were reported injured in these incidents.

In Sunamganj five people lost their lives in deadly lightning strikes across four sub-districts (upazilas) during a Kalboishakhi (nor'wester) storm on Saturday afternoon. At Dharmapasha, Habibur Rahman (22), a college student, and Rahmat Ullah (13) were killed by lightning. At Tahirpur, one Abul Kalam (28), a worker of a duck farm, died while on duty. Another individual, Nur Mohammad (24), was also injured. In Jamalganj, a man named Nuruzzaman died while working in Pagnar Haor (Lake). His cousin was also injured in the strike. And, at Dirai one Liton Mia was killed by a thunderbolt strike while harvesting paddy in a local Haor.

In Rangpur two people died at Mithapukur sub-district. The deceased were identified as Taleb Uddin (60) and Milon Mia (40). According to local sources, a crowd had gathered by a pond to watch fishermen catching fish. When it began to rain, a powerful lightning strike hit the area, injuring several people. Mithapukur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nuruzzaman confirmed that at least 10 injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals. Meanwhile, in Netrokona district's at Atpara upazila, one Altu Mia (65) was killed while cutting grass for his cattle in Meshi Haor. Locals found his body after the storm was over.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Md. Shahanur Rahman, stated that the family would receive financial assistance. In Kishoreganj District's Karimganj upazila, a man named Holud Mia (37) died while harvesting paddy in a large Haor. Although locals rushed him home after the strike, he succumbed to his injuries. Karimganj Police Station OC Md. Emranul Kabir confirmed the death and noted that legal procedures are underway.