13 killed by lightning strikes in seven districts

At least 13 people have been killed by lightning strikes accompanied by Kalbaishakhi storms in various districts of the country from morning to evening on Sunday, April 26. The incidents occurred in Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Bogura, Panchagarh, Jamalpur, Natore and Thakurgaon districts. Among them, 11 deaths were reported from six northern districts, casting a pall of mourning across the region.

The highest number of deaths, four, occurred in Gaibandha's Sundarganj and Saghata upazilas. In Sundarganj, Md Fuad Chowdhury, 33; Md Rafi Chowdhury, 11; and Md Mizanur Rahman, 20, died on the spot. Another person was injured. In Saghata, an elderly man named Nambar Ali, 65, was killed by lightning while outside during the storm.

Two people died in separate incidents in Tarash and Raiganj upazilas of Sirajganj. In Tarash, farmer Abdul Hamid, 50, was killed by lightning while working in a field. In Raiganj, Hasan Sheikh, 25, died while drying paddy with his family.

Lightning strikes also claimed two lives in Jamalpur's Melandah and Sadar upazilas. In Melandah, Morjina Begum, 22, died while working in a kitchen, while Hasmat Ali Hasu, 45, died in Char Jatharthapur village of Sadar upazila while bringing cows home. Several others were injured and are receiving treatment at hospitals.

Two people died in Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon: Laboni Akter, 35, and Elias Ali, 37. One was struck while returning home after cutting grass from a field, and the other was examining his own land.

Additionally, Sumon Hossain, 35, died in Gabtali, Bogura while bringing goats home. Sohorwardi, 40, died while working at a tea garden in Atwari, Panchagarh. Shomrat Hossain, 26, was killed in Singra, Natore while returning home after harvesting paddy.

Local administration and public representatives have expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased. Many bodies have been handed over to families after legal formalities. With lightning strikes increasing during the current Kalbaishakhi season, authorities have urged everyone to remain cautious.