At least 14 people have died across Bangladesh after a series of lightning strikes swept the nation on Monday, with most victims identified as farmers and labourers working in open fields.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Several others sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals, with some reportedly in critical condition. The deaths occurred amid seasonal thunderstorms that brought lightning to multiple regions.
Background on Lightning Fatalities in Bangladesh
Bangladesh, which declared lightning strikes a natural disaster in 2016, experiences hundreds of deaths annually from such events. In May 2016 alone, over 200 fatalities were recorded. Experts attribute the rise in fatal lightning strikes to deforestation, which removes tall trees that previously helped draw lightning away from populated areas, and to climate change, which creates more unstable weather conditions conducive to storms.
Regional Trends
Neighbouring India is also witnessing an alarming increase in lightning-related deaths. Over 101,000 fatalities were recorded between 1967 and 2020, with a sharp uptick in the last decade. The trend underscores the growing threat posed by extreme weather events in South Asia.
