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At least 12 people have died across the country in a single day due to Kalbaishakhi storms and lightning strikes. These fatalities occurred in seven districts of the country from Wednesday (April 29) morning until evening. Patuakhali district recorded the highest number of deaths, with four people killed.
Four people died in separate lightning strike incidents across various upazilas of Patuakhali. Around 9 am, Sourav Majumder (22) was killed by a lightning strike while tying cows in Char Ganga village, Rangabali upazila. Similarly, Jahir Uddin (28) lost his life while working in a cornfield in Tarikata village, Kalapara upazila. Setara Begum (55) died while feeding grass to cows in Purba Chakamaiya village. Additionally, Khalek Howlader (55) died from a lightning strike while returning from the field with his cows in Shantipur village.
In Islampur upazila of Jamalpur, two people died due to lightning. In the morning, Md. Shamim Mia (37) died on the spot while fishing in the river in Gaibandha Union. Later, Sagar Islam (18) was killed by a lightning strike while road construction work was underway in Indullamari area of Sapdhari Union.
In Majjatkol village of Mizanpur Union, Rajbari Sadar upazila, Sumon Mondal (35) died from a lightning strike on his way to a shop. Eyewitnesses reported that he was carrying his daughter to the market when the lightning struck, killing him instantly.
In Taraganj upazila of Rangpur, Sahira Begum (40), a housewife, died from a lightning strike while going to fetch cows at noon.
In Naria upazila of Shariatpur, Rajib Sheikh (32) was killed by a lightning strike while fishing in the Kirtinasha River. When sudden rain and lightning began, his body was severely burned, and locals later recovered his remains.
In Barguna’s Amtali and Patharghata upazilas, two people died in separate incidents. In Pujakhola village of Amtali, farmer Nurjamal (54) died from a lightning strike while fishing in the beel. On the other hand, fisherman Al Amin was killed by a lightning strike while fishing in the Baleshwar River of Patharghata.
In Shibganj upazila of Bogura, a farmer named Akbar Ali Sardar (65) died from a lightning strike while working in the field at noon.
According to local administration and police sources, most of these fatalities occurred due to sudden lightning strikes while working in open fields or fishing.
Experts state that the risk of lightning strikes increases during the Kalbaishakhi season. They have advised people to avoid open fields, rivers, or elevated areas and to adhere to weather warnings during this period.