Dangers of lightning in Bangladesh and protective measures

After a severe heatwave, the rain brought not relief but the terror of lightning strikes. Whenever there is rain and a storm, reports of multiple fatalities due to lightning strikes surface. On April 23, in a single day, nine people lost their lives to lightning in six upazilas of eastern Bangladesh. Subsequently, on April 27, eight people died from lightning strikes in six districts in one day. On May 18, in a single day, lightning claimed the lives of seven people in three districts. From morning to noon on that day, four people died in Narsingdi, two in Tangail, and one in Gazipur due to lightning during rain. Previously, on the same date, May 18, in 2022, 19 people died in a single day from lightning strikes across the country. We face such devastating lightning incidents every year, but why has the frequency of lightning strikes increased? And how can we protect ourselves from it?

Due to climate change, the frequency of lightning strikes has increased abnormally in recent years in Bangladesh, leading to a concerning rise in fatalities. Experts state that the rise in global temperatures is largely responsible for the increase in lightning strikes. The risk of lightning strikes increases by 10% for every 1-degree rise in temperature. From April to June, temperatures remain above the average, resulting in more frequent lightning incidents during this period. Over the past few years, Bangladesh's temperature has increased by 0.74%. Most of the lightning fatalities in Bangladesh are of people working in fields or rivers. Annually, an average of 165 people die from lightning strikes in Bangladesh, yet there are no effective measures to prevent it. Despite expenditures on projects, lightning-related deaths cannot be prevented.

According to media monitoring data from an organization called Disaster Forum, from 2001 to 2010, just over 1,000 people died from lightning strikes. However, from 2010 to June 2020, 2,774 people were killed, including 526 children, 401 women, and 1,847 men. The lowest number of fatalities in the past 10 years was 123 in 2010, and the highest was 350 in 2016. In other years, the number fluctuated between 200 and 300. From June 2020 to April 2021, 296 people died. In 2018, there were 277 fatalities. Additionally, 281 died in 2019, 273 in 2020, 290 in 2021, 321 in 2022, and 304 in 2023 due to lightning strikes. Due to the rising severity and fatalities from lightning, the government of Bangladesh declared lightning a disaster on May 17, 2016.

What is Lightning and Why Has It Increased?
When lightning flashes in the sky, the electricity produced is essentially the same as the electricity we commonly use. During heavy cloud cover, water vapor cools significantly and turns into ice. These ice particles collide with each other, generating electric charges. Over time, this process leads to an entire cloud area becoming charged, with positive charges accumulating at the top and negative charges at the bottom. As these charges move and eventually meet due to mutual attraction, a blinding flash of lightning and a loud thunderclap occur. A typical lightning flash can produce around 300 million volts and about 30,000 amperes of electricity.

In recent years, the density of dark clouds has increased, leading to more sudden rain and lightning. Climate change has altered weather patterns, resulting in increased cloud density, more frequent collisions between clouds, and more frequent lightning strikes. Other significant factors contributing to increased lightning include the reduction in the number of tall trees, increased presence of dark clouds, friction between clouds, widespread installation of mobile phone towers, and rising temperatures. According to the meteorological department, lightning is a natural phenomenon. However, in the last decade, lightning incidents in Bangladesh have increased by nearly 15%.

In Bangladesh, those most frequently affected by lightning strikes are:
In Bangladesh, 70% of those who die from lightning strikes are farmers or people working in open fields. Additionally, 14% die while returning home, and 13% die while bathing or fishing. This information comes from Vaisala, a Finland-based lightning research organization. According to analysts, the presence of lightning rods on most buildings in cities significantly reduces the number of lightning-related deaths there. However, in rural areas, the lack of such protections and the decrease in large trees, coupled with open fields, result in higher mortality rates from lightning strikes.

According to experts, the death rate from lightning is highest in the haor (wetland) regions of the country. This is because most of the croplands there lack large trees. Lightning tends to strike the tallest point before hitting the ground. In treeless haor areas, the bodies of farmers stand taller than the ground, making them targets for lightning. Therefore, during lightning storms, people in open fields or areas without tall trees or lightning protection are at greater risk. Historically, there were few trees in the haor fields, and now trees from other areas have also been cut down. As a result, people in fields or open areas become the highest conductive objects within a kilometer range during a lightning strike. In the absence of people, livestock in the fields are also at risk. Consequently, both humans and livestock can die from lightning strikes.

How to Protect Yourself from Lightning Strikes:
Experts have highlighted several measures to protect against lightning strikes. This includes avoiding touching all electrical appliances during lightning strikes. If you are inside the car during lightning, take shelter under the concrete canopy with the car. Do not stay in open and high places. It is very dangerous to be in ponds or swampy areas during lightning. Because water is a very good conductor of electricity. If several people are gathered in an open space, each person should move at least 50 to 100 feet away from each other to minimize the risk of lightning strikes. If caught in a lightning storm while in a rice field or a large open ground, it's essential to quickly move to lower ground level. Do not seek shelter under tall trees or near electrical poles during a lightning storm, as these can attract lightning strikes. During a lightning storm, it's safer to stay indoors. Keep windows closed and maintain a distance from them to avoid any potential dangers from lightning strikes. Wearing rubber-soled shoes during a lightning storm is advisable, as rubber is a good insulator against electric shocks.

To stay safe from lightning strikes, it is necessary to install a lightning rod connected to the earth in the house. However, it is advisable to seek advice from skilled engineers in this regard. Improperly installed rods may increase the risk of lightning strikes. In case of lightning injuries, the victims should receive medical treatment similar to that provided to electric shock victims. It is essential to promptly call a doctor or go to the hospital if needed. At the same time, efforts should be made to restore the breathing and heartbeat of the injured person. Everyone should receive training in basic first aid for this purpose. Metal objects such as metal poles, iron railings, pipes, etc., should not be touched during a lightning storm. It is safest to seek shelter under a well-built structure. If adequate safety measures are not available in a house, everyone should stay in separate rooms rather than staying together.

During a lightning storm, it is advisable to sit down, leaning forward with your fingers touching your ears and keeping your eyes closed; however, lying down on the ground should be avoided. Most importantly, increasing public awareness is crucial to reduce fatalities from lightning strikes. As a long-term strategy, widespread planting of palm trees is necessary in the country's vulnerable areas. Based on experience, it has been observed that tall trees, especially palm trees, can act as lightning arresters even before the lightning strikes the ground directly. However, planting palm trees and allowing them to grow tall may take several decades. Moreover, this type of tree cannot thrive in all types of soil. Therefore, as an emergency measure, it may be possible to install lightning protection (Franklin lightning rods) equipped tall towers in open spaces. Additionally, it is essential to be cautious when dense dark clouds are observed in the sky.