At least 12 people have been killed in lightning strikes across six districts of the country amid Kalboishakhi storms. The incidents occurred on Saturday. The deceased include nine farmers, two fishermen and one student.
According to police and local sources, the highest number of fatalities was reported in Sunamganj, where five people were killed while harvesting paddy in haor areas. Other deaths were reported in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Habiganj and Kishoreganj.
Sunamganj: Five killed in separate incidents
Five people were killed in separate lightning strikes across four upazilas of Sunamganj. The victims include four farmers and one student. The incidents occurred on Saturday afternoon in Dharmapasha, Jamalganj, Tahirpur and Dirai upazilas.
The deceased were identified as Habibur Rahman (30) and Rahmat Ullah (15) of Dharmapasha, Nazmul Hossain (19) of Jamalganj, Abul Kalam (25) of Tahirpur, and Liton Mia (30) of Dirai. Rahmat Ullah, son of Fazlur Rahman of Baroihati village under Paikurati union, was a degree student at Badshaganj College.
In Dharmapasha, Habibur Rahman was struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in Togar haor in the afternoon. Locals rescued him and took him to the Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. He was the son of Hafizur Rahman of Baroihati village under Paikarhati union. At the same time, Rahmat Ullah was killed by a lightning strike while drying paddy near his house in Saraswatipur village under Joyshree union.
Officer-in-Charge of Dharmapasha Police Station, Shahid Ullah, said two people had died in lightning strikes in the upazila. “The bodies have been handed over to their families after completing legal formalities,” he added.
In Tahirpur, farmer Abul Kalam was struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in Matian haor. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where he was declared dead. Tahirpur Police Station OC Aminul Islam said the body was handed over to the family after legal procedures.
In Jamalganj, Nazmul Hossain died after being struck by lightning while working in Pagnar haor. He was the son of Amir Ali of Chanpur village. OC Bande Ali said another person was also injured in the incident.
In Dirai, farmer Liton Mia died after being struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in Baram haor. He was a resident of Hasnabad village. Dirai Police Station OC Enamul Haque confirmed the death.
Rangpur: Two fishermen killed, seven injured
Two fishermen were killed and seven others injured in a lightning strike in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur.
The incident occurred around 1pm in a local water body (small bill) at Shalmara area, where a group of fishermen had gone to catch fish. Witnesses said multiple lightning strikes occurred suddenly during the storm, causing panic.
The deceased were identified as Milon Roy and Abu Taleb. The injured include Golden Mia, his wife Lima Begum, Marzina Begum, Jagadish Roy, Subol, Nikhil and Shamsul.
Mithapukur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nuruzzaman said that the injured had been rescued and were receiving treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital and Mithapukur Upazila Health Complex.
Mymensingh: Two killed while working in fields
Two people were killed in separate incidents in Gouripur and Gafargaon upazilas of Mymensingh.
In Gouripur, Rahmat Ali Ujjal (30), a farmer, was struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in Bayraura village. Locals rushed him to the Upazila Health Complex, but he died on the way.
In Gafargaon, Mamtaz Ali Khan (58) was struck while returning home after offering prayers. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.
Police have registered separate unnatural death cases in both incidents.
Netrokona: Elderly farmer killed in haor
In Netrokona’s Atpara upazila, farmer Altu Mia (60) was killed in a lightning strike while harvesting paddy in Dholar haor.
Local administration confirmed that the incident took place in the morning when farmers were working in the field. After rainfall and thunder, he was found dead on the field. His body was later handed over to his family.
Atpara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Shahnur Rahman said that a farmer had died while working in the haor. “We have initially gathered information on behalf of the administration. Financial assistance will be provided promptly to the family for all arrangements related to the burial,” he said.
Habiganj: Farmer dies in haor field
In Habiganj’s Nabiganj upazila, farmer Sunam Uddin (55) died after being struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in Momina haor.
Family members said he was working with his son when sudden rain and thunder began. He was struck on the spot and died instantly. Police later visited the scene.
Nabiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ruhul Amin said that government assistance would be provided to the family of the deceased.
Kishoreganj: Farmer killed in Karimganj
In Kishoreganj’s Karimganj upazila, farmer Holud Mia (37) was killed by lightning while harvesting paddy in Boro haor.
Karimganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Umme Muslima confirmed the incident. She said that in the morning, Holud Mia went to Boro haor to harvest paddy. Around midday, it suddenly began to rain, followed by lightning. He was struck by lightning and died on the spot. Later, locals recovered the body and took it to his home.
