Lightning strikes leave 9 dead in four northern districts

At least nine people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Chapainawabganj, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, and Chudanga districts on Thursday.

Of them, five people were killed in Chapainawabganj alone, including three women, across three upazilas of the district on Thursday afternoon.

They died during rainfall when lightning struck different areas of Sadar, Shibganj and Nachol upazilas.

The deceased were identified as Abdullah, son of Md Rabbil of Atahar area in Jhelim union of Sadar upazila; Mahmuda Akhter, wife of Abdur Rab of Chakanrendra village in Chakkirti union of Shibganj upazila; Sadia Khatun, daughter of Abul Kashem of Ranibari-Bazarpara; Md Mesbaul, son of Fitu Ali of Shikarpur Dakshinpara in Mobarakpur union; and Sumiyara Begum of Lahabari village in Nachol upazila.

Of them, three died in Shibganj upazila.

Matiur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shibganj Police Station, said the three victims from Shibganj were struck by lightning while picking mangoes in orchards near their homes during rain.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mizanur Rahman said the families of the victims were given Tk 25,000 each as immediate financial assistance.

Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain said lightning hit Abdullah while he was going to the field in the rain to bring cattle. He was taken to Chapainawabganj District Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

In Nachol upazila, Sumiyara Begum died by lightning strike while returning home after collecting grass from a field, said Nachol Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sukomal Chandra Debnath.

Authorities said financial assistance of Tk 25,000 each will also be provided to the families of the victims in Sadar and Nachol upazilas.

In Chuadanga, a youth died and another was injured after being struck by lightning in Nandbare village of Alamdanga upazila at around 7:15 pm.

The deceased was identified as Shanto, 28, son of Jahangir of Nandbare village. The injured, Nahid, is undergoing treatment at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital.

Family members said Shanto and Nahid were on the roof of a house during a storm when lightning struck, setting a nearby tree on fire and injuring both of them. They were rushed to hospital, where doctors declared Shanto dead.

Chuadanga Sadar Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr Farhana Wahid Tani confirmed the death.

Alamdanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Bani Israel said the body was kept at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital.

In Dinajpur, a farmer and a housewife were killed in separate lightning strikes in Biral upazila during a thunderstorm on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased were identified as Mosharraf Hossain, 50, son of Khatibor Rahman of Muraripur Uttar Para, and Fazila Khatun, 30, wife of Azizul Haque of Biswanathpur village.

According to locals, Mosharraf was struck by lightning while trying to protect paddy straw in a field during the storm.

Nur Islam, chairman of Dharmapur Union Parishad, said Fazila Khatun was killed in a separate lightning strike in a neighbouring village. Another person was injured in the incident.

In Lalmonirhat, a housewife was killed and two others were injured in separate lightning strikes during a Kalboishakhi storm in Hatibandha upazila around 7:30pm.

The deceased was identified as Arzina Begum, 33, wife of Sobahan Ali of Dalalpara village in Fakirpara union.

The injured, Mizanur Rahman and Rashida Begum, were admitted to Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex.

Locals said heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderclaps swept through the area in the evening. Arzina Begum was struck by lightning while at home and died on the spot.

Ramjan Ali, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatibandha Police Station, confirmed the death.