The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a lightning alert for 16 districts, warning of gusty or squally winds accompanied by lightning flashes.
According to a Met office bulletin: “Rain or thundershowers accompanied by lightning flashes and temporary westerly or northwesterly gusty or squally winds at speeds of 45–60kph or more are likely to occur in Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Mymensingh, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Noakhali, Comilla, Chittagong, and Cox's Bazar during the next 2–4 hours starting from 8:45am on Wednesday.”
The department also issued the following safety directives to stay protected from lightning:
- Stay indoors during storms
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary
- Take shelter in a safe location
- Do not take shelter under trees
- Avoid lying on concrete floors or leaning against concrete walls
- Unplug electrical and electronic devices
- Leave water bodies immediately
- Stay away from objects that conduct electricity
- If hail begins, remain indoors and avoid going outside
