EXTREME WEATHER: More Signs Of Increasing Magnetic Polar Migration - Lightning Strikes Kill 6 In 3 Districts Of Bangladesh!

April 20, 2016 - BANGLADESH - Six people, including two schoolgirls, were killed by lightning in Habiganj, Sylhet and Panchagarh districts yesterday and on Monday evening.

A thunderbolt struck two siblings when they were harvesting paddy at a field at Kaliabhanga village in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj district on Monday evening.

They later died at a hospital, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent.

The deceased are Abdul Alim, 40, and his brother Wali Miah, 34, sons of Buddu Miah of the village.

Meanwhile, a youth was killed by lightning during a storm at Kamalkhani village in Baniachong upazila the same day.

The deceased is Jewel Miah, 20, son of Abdul Wadud of the village, said police.

In Sylhet, two schoolgirls were killed and another was injured as a thunderbolt struck them during rain at Laxmiprasad village in Jaintapur upazila of the district around 4:00pm on Monday.

The deceased are Doly Malakar, 10, daughter of Patan Malakar of the village, and Ishita Rahman Tarin, 7, daughter of Abdur Rahman of the same village.

Doly and Ishita were Class V and II students of Laxmiprasad Government Primary School, said Binoy Roy, sub-inspector of Jaintapur Police Station.

Away in Panchagarh, a rickshaw-van puller was killed and another injured by lightning at Sakoya village in Boda upazila of the district early yesterday, reports our Thakurgaon correspondent.

The deceased is Hasibul Islam alias Rafiqul, 46, of Marea village in the upazila. - Daily Star.

EXTREME WEATHER: More Signs Of Increasing Magnetic Polar Migration - Lightning Strikes Kill 30 In Just 10 Days In Bangladesh!

April 4, 2016 - BANGLADESH - At least 30 people mostly farmers were struck and killed by lightning in the last 10 days at different parts of the country as nor'westers started to hit since last month.

The frequency of the storms (Kalboishakhi) usually rises in April and May, and the deaths from lightning could go up significantly if precautions are not taken properly. This seasonal storm is typically accompanied by lightning.

The maximum 13 people were killed by lightning on Thursday in seven districts. Most of the victims were farmers working on the field. Of them, three teenagers were killed in Munshiganj and two each in Faridpur, Kishoreganj, Bagerhat and Manikganj districts.

Earlier, two people were killed on March 30 and five on March 28 during nor'westers at different parts of the country. Six others, killed on March 27, include three schoolboys of Netrakona.

Reports say three farmers were struck by lightning and killed while working on a salt field at Moheshkhali of Cox's Bazar.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department broadcasts early warning of the impending thunderbolt.

On May 6, 2013, at least 24 deaths by lighting were reported from different districts.

In 2011, a total of 179 people were killed by lightning - 58 getting killed in the month of May alone. During April and May the following year, lightning killed a staggering 152 people.

In the wake of rise in lightning strikes, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has started awareness campaign on social media, especially Facebook, to bring down the number of deaths and injuries from lightning.

Urging not to panic during a storm accompanied by lighting, the BDRCS suggests that people stay away from tall trees, electric pillars and towers, and take shelter under a concrete ceiling. Touching corrugated iron sheets (tin) or metals during lighting may claim lives.

People stuck in cars due to storms can also avoid casualty by not touching its metal body.

Being near water bodies including ponds and rivers can be fatal during a lightning, the BDRCS says.

It asks people to not use or switch off electronic items including phones, laptops, WiFi, cordless phones and landphones when lighting strikes frequently. - Dhaka Tribune.

EXTREME WEATHER: More Signs Of Increasing Magnetic Polar Migration - Lightning Strikes Kill 7 In 5 Districts Of Bangladesh!

March 29, 2016 - BANGLADESH - Seven people were killed by lightning in Panchagarh, Habiganj, Jamalpur, Mymensingh and Comilla districts yesterday.

A man was killed and his wife injured by lightning at Banglabandha village in Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh yesterday morning.

The deceased was identified as Ramjan Ali, 40, of the village, reports our Thakurgaon correspondent.

Locals said a thunderbolt struck Ramjan and his wife Jyotsna Banu, 35, when they were standing on their veranda during heavy rain. Ramjan died on the spot.

Jyotsna was admitted to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital.

In Habiganj, a minor girl and a man were killed as thunderbolt struck them in Madhabpur and Sadar upazilas of the district in the afternoon, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent.

The deceased are Mim Akther, 8, daughter of Safiqul Islam of Joypur village in Madhabpur, and Ajman Miah, 40, son of Sattar Miah of Chandpur village in Sadar upazila.

Officer-in-Charge Mullah Monir Hosain of Madhabpur Police Station and OC Md Nazim Uddin of Sadar PS confirmed the incidents.

Away in Jamalpur, lightning killed a woman at Beergaon village in Bakshiganj upazila of the district in the morning.

The deceased was identified as Rezena Begum, 40, wife of Moulavi Hossain of the village, reports our correspondent.

Locals said a thunderbolt struck Rezena while she was cooking at her kitchen during rain. She died on the spot.

According to our Mymensingh correspondent, a freedom fighter was killed by lightning in Balipara area under Trishal upazila of the district.

The victim, Ataur Rahman, 65, was commander of Muktijoddha Sangsad's Balipara Union unit, reports our correspondent.

Police and family sources said Ataur was struck by thunderbolt when he was working at his field around 7:00am. He died on the spot.

In Comilla, two people were struck by thunderbolts during heavy rain in Daudkandi and Titash upazilas of the district in the afternoon, reports our correspondent.

The deceased are day labourer Babul Miah, 21, son of Abdul Kader of Noakhali district, and Russel Mollah, 20, son of Islam Mollah of Moutupi village in Titash upazila.

Of them, Babul was struck by lightning when he was lifting sand at Charamahmuddi village in Daudkandi upazila. He died on the spot. - Daily Star.