Thunderstorms claim 246 lives in 7 months

Thunderstorms have claimed the lives of 246 people between February and August and left 97 injured, according to a recent study.

The study was conducted by Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum, with information collected from several national and local dailies, as well as online news portals and TV news channels. 

The report was unveiled at the Resourceful Paltan City building in Dhaka on Sunday, where  Rashim Mollah, general secretary of the forum, read out the report.

Among the deceased, 232 were adults, eight teenagers, and the other six were children. The adults include 202 men and 30 women.

The highest number of casualties was reported in June, with 66 killed in the month alone.

Most of the casualties died while harvesting paddy, fishing, or cattle farming during thunderstorms. 

Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum officials at the Resourceful Paltan City building in Dhaka on Sunday |Dhaka Tribune
The highest number of casualties in a single district was 22 in Sathkhira. Kishoreganj, Pabna, Sunamganj, Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Tangail districts also suffered casualties during thunderstorms.

Some of the victims died while sleeping in cottages, tin-shed houses, and under trees.

Abdul Alim, executive head of the research cell of the forum, said: "The weather is changing form, similar to that 40 years ago. The lightning strikes started in February, which is unusual.

"This disaster should be confronted by raising awareness. The government can enact a law to make  mandatory the installation of high frequency anti-thunderstorm devices at the top of every mobile tower. Although this is costly to set up, we can save a large number of people," he added.

He also urged everyone to work together to combat climate change.

Number of casualties between February 2019 - August 2019

*Source: Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum