At least six people, including three women, were killed in separate lightning strikes in three upazilas of Chapainawabganj district between Thursday afternoon and evening, as thunderstorms accompanied by rain swept through the region.
Three of the deaths occurred in Shibganj Upazila.
The deceased were identified as Abdullah, 17, son of Md Rabbil of Atahar area under Jhilim Union in Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila; Mahmuda Akhtar, 19, wife of Abdur Rab of Chakanrendra village in Chakkirti union of Shibganj upazila; Sadia Khatun,16, daughter of Abul Kashem of Ranibari-Bazarpara; Md Mesbaul, 14, son of Fitu Ali of Shikarpur Dakshinpara in Mobarakpur union; Sumiyara Begum, 41, of Lahabari village in Nachol upazila; and Hasan Ali Lalu, 21, son of Shafiul of Gosainpur village in Nachol upazila.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shibganj Police Station Matiur Rahman said, Mahmud Akhtar, Sadia Khatun and Mesbaul were struck by lightning while collecting mangoes in orchards near their homes amid rain. All three died on the spot.
Shibganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mizanur Rahman said the families of the victims were given Tk 25,000 each as immediate financial assistance.
Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain said lightning hit Abdullah while he was going to the field in the rain to bring cattle. He was taken to Chapainawabganj District Hospital where doctors declared him dead. The cow he was herding also died in the strike.
In Nachol upazila, Sumiyara Begum died by lightning strike while returning home after collecting grass from a field, said Nachol Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sukomal Chandra Debnath.
In another incident in the same upazila, Hasan Ali Lalu was killed around 5:00 pm in Gosainpur village, said Nachole Police Station OC Sukomal Chandra Debnath.
The fatalities in a single day across three upazilas have cast a pall of grief over the district. Local authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement during thunderstorms and confirmed that each bereaved family will receive Tk 25,000 in assistance.