Nor’westers accompanied by lightning killed at least 10 people, including women and children, and damaged households and crops in seven districts on Sunday, when many districts experienced a mild to moderate heatwave.
Three women and children were killed by lightning strikes in Jhalakathi, two in Patuakhali, and one each in Khulna, Bhola, Pirojpur, Netrokona, and Bagerhat. Besides, at least 25 people were reported injured in the storm that took place at 10:30am.
It brought heavy thunder and lightning in parts of the country.
In Bagerhat, a farmer was killed and eight others injured as the nor’wester swept parts of the district. The deceased was identified as Likchan Sardar, 35, of Kachua Upazila.
Power supply to different parts of the district was suspended as 34 electric poles were uprooted during the strong storm, leaving 400,000 people without power.
Khalid Hossain, the deputy commissioner of Bagerhat, said Likchan died on the spot a thunderbolt struck him while he was working at his field during a storm at Maghia in Kachua.
Besides, eight people were injured as billboards and trees collapsed on them during storm in separate places.
One hundred thatched houses were damaged while a number of trees were uprooted when the nor’wester swept different parts of the district, including Sadar, Kachua, Rampal, Fakirhat, Sarankhola and Morrelganj upazilas, around 10am.
A passenger bus was also damaged as a billboard collapsed on it.
In Khulna, a fisherman was killed after being struck by lightning at Komolpur village in Dumuria Upazila on Sunday morning.
The deceased was identified as Obaidullah Gazi, son of Delwar Hossain Gazi of the village, said Sukanta Kumar Saha, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dumuria police station.
Similarly, in Jhalakathi, two women named Helena Begum and Minara Begum and a child named Mahia Akhtar were killed during the storm.
In Patuakhali, two people, including a child, were found dead following the storm. Besides, at least 20 people were injured.
In Bhola, a man named Haris Ahmed died, and two others were injured in the storm.
In Pirojpur, a woman named Ruby Begum died after a tree fell on her during the storm.
In Netrokona, a man named Shaheed Mia lost his life in a lightning strike.
The Met Office, in its latest bulletin, said a severe heat wave is currently sweeping Pabna and Chuadanga districts.
Besides, a mild to moderate heat wave is currently sweeping Rangpur, Dhaka, and parts of Rajshahi Khulna divisions. However, the heat wave is also felt in Barisal, Patuakhali, and Rangamati districts.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 36.7 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi, while the lowest was at 18.5 degrees in Tetulia on Sunday.
