Lightning strikes kill 9 in four districts

At least nine people have been killed by lightning strikes in four districts of the country from morning to evening on Monday, April 27. The deaths were reported in Netrokona (three), Sunamganj (three), Habiganj (two), and Noakhali (one). Several others were also injured.

Netrokona
In Khaliajuri, Netrokona, a fisherman and two farmers were killed in separate lightning strikes between morning and afternoon.

Abdul Motaleb, 55, a fisherman from Mymensingh's Ishwarganj upazila, died while fishing in the Dhanu river in the Godar Ghat area of Jagannathpur union. Witnesses said lightning struck him around morning, and he died on the spot.

In Satgaon village, farmer Monayem Khan Palam was killed by lightning while drying paddy in front of his house around 1:30 pm. Another farmer, Shuvra Mandal, 23, from Sirajganj, died while cutting paddy in a haor in the Krishnapur area around 3:00 pm.

Khaliajuri Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Nasir Uddin said two bodies have already been handed over to families, and legal procedures for the third are underway.

Sunamganj
Three farmers were killed and three others injured by lightning strikes while cutting paddy in haors at different places in Sunamganj district on Monday afternoon.

Jamir Hossain, 42, of Baithakhali village in Gaurarang union; Jamir Uddin, 46, of Abdullahpur village in Mollapara union; and Abu Saleh, 22, of Noagaon village in Jamalganj upazila, died after being struck by lightning.

Additionally, three farmers were injured in a lightning strike while cutting paddy in a haor in Shantiganj upazila. They are receiving treatment locally.

Sunamganj 250-bed Sadar Hospital Emergency Department Medical Officer Dr Shafiq told Dhaka Post that three people brought to the hospital were declared dead by the attending physicians.

Noakhali
In Hatiya, Noakhali, a young man named Mohammad Arafat Hossain, 22, died after being struck by lightning while collecting groundnuts during rain around 2:00 pm on Monday in the Khaser Hat area of the upazila.

Arafat, son of late Afsar Mia, ran a tea shop at the local market and also worked in farming.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain said the body was handed over to the family as no complaint was filed.

Habiganj
Two people, including a farmer, died in separate lightning strikes in Habiganj district around 3:00 pm on Monday.

Makshud Ali, 40, a farmer from Noagaon village in Nabiganj upazila, died on the spot while cutting paddy in the Gardar haor area adjacent to Paniumda union.

In Baniachong upazila, Abdus Salam, 35, son of Abdul Gafur of Jatukarnapara area, died while collecting paddy from a drying platform near his home.

Nabiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ruhul Amin confirmed the matter and said necessary assistance will be provided to the bereaved family.