Lightning strikes kill at least 14 in Bangladesh after severe heat wave

Monday 27 April 2026 - 09:45

At least 14 people have been killed across Bangladesh after lightning strikes hit several regions during thunderstorms that followed a prolonged heat wave, according to local authorities and media reports.

The incidents occurred across seven districts, with the highest number of fatalities reported in the northern Gaibandha district. Local police confirmed that five people, including two children, died in lightning-related incidents in that area.

Additional deaths were reported in several other districts, including Thakurgaon, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Panchagarh, Natore, and Bogra, as storms swept across parts of the country at the start of the seasonal transition.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that scattered rainfall is expected to continue in the coming days, which may help ease the intense heat wave that has affected large parts of the country in recent weeks.

Following more than a week of extreme heat, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning were recorded in the capital Dhaka as well as in several divisions including Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet.

Experts warn that lightning remains a major seasonal hazard in Bangladesh. According to local safety organizations, hundreds of people die each year due to lightning strikes, with rural workers, particularly farmers in open fields, being the most vulnerable.

The Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum reported that 330 people were killed by lightning in the country last year. The group emphasizes that lack of awareness and inadequate protection measures are key factors behind the high death toll.

Climate and disaster experts note that most lightning-related fatalities occur between April and June, when high temperatures and moisture increase storm activity. Authorities have increased lightning warning systems in recent years, but risks remain significant, especially in rural agricultural areas.

Public safety campaigns continue to encourage farmers to adopt protective measures during storm seasons, including avoiding open fields during thunderstorms and using basic protective equipment.