A series of violent electrical storms accompanied by “Kalbaishakhi” (nor’wester) winds has resulted in the deaths of at least eleven individuals across seven districts in Bangladesh. The casualties were reported throughout Wednesday, with Patuakhali district recording the highest toll of three fatalities. Other deaths occurred in Barguna, Jamalpur, Bagerhat, Gazipur, Rangpur, and Rajbari.
In addition to the loss of life, fifteen students in Barguna were hospitalised after suffering from the shock and acoustic impact of a nearby lightning strike during school hours.
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Patuakhali: Three Lives Lost During Agricultural Activities
In Patuakhali, the fatalities involved individuals engaged in outdoor work or tending to livestock.
Kalapara Upazila: At approximately 14:00, Setara Begum (55), wife of Badsha Hawlader of East Chakamaiya village, was struck while heading to an open field to graze cattle. Medical staff at Kalapara Upazila Health Complex, including emergency department attendant Md. Kabir Hossain, confirmed that she was brought in at 14:45 but had succumbed to heart failure triggered by the intensity of the lightning strike.
Chakamaiya Union: In a separate incident in Shantipur village, a farmer named Khalek Hawlader (55) died while attempting to bring his cattle in from a field. Dr Humayun Hasan Suman of Amtali Upazila Health Complex stated that the victim’s body bore severe burns and he was deceased upon arrival.
Rangabali Upazila: At 09:00, Saurav Majumder (22) was killed while grazing cows in Charganga village during a sudden nor’wester. Saurav, the son of Shah Alam Majumder, had become a father only one week prior to the incident. Md. Jashim Uddin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rangabali Police Station, confirmed the details of the youth’s death.
Barguna: Fatalities and Mass Illness Among Students
Barguna reported two deaths and a mass casualty event involving schoolchildren.
Casualties: The deceased have been identified as Md. Nur Jamal (54) of Pujakhola village in Amtali, and Al Amin (30), a fisherman from the Padma area in Patharghata.
School Incident: At noon, a lightning bolt struck the vicinity of the Phuljhuri School and College building in the Sadar Upazila. The resulting sonic boom and electrical discharge caused fifteen students to collapse or fall ill. Eight students currently remain under observation at Barguna Sadar Hospital, while seven others were discharged after receiving primary care.
Jamalpur: Child Labourer and Fisherman Perish
Jamalpur recorded two fatalities in Islampur Upazila at different times on Wednesday morning.
River Fatality: Shamim Miah (30), son of the late Mohammad Ali of Gaibandha Union, went to the Dashani River at 05:30 to fish. At approximately 06:00, lightning struck the water, causing Shamim to vanish beneath the surface. His body was later recovered by family members.
Construction Fatality: In the Sapdhari Union, a 13-year-old boy named Sagar Ali was killed at 10:00. Sagar, a child labourer from Dewanganj, was working on a road construction project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). Sheikh Md. Abdul Wadud, Panel Chairman of the Union Parishad, noted that the boy was struck just as he was attempting to seek shelter from the rain.
Fatalities in Rajbari, Bagerhat, Gazipur, and Rangpur
Single fatalities were reported in four other districts as the storm front moved across the country.
Rajbari: At 06:45, Suman Mandal (35) of Majjatkol village was struck while walking to a nearby shop with his five-year-old daughter, Safia, in his arms. The impact caused the child to be thrown from his grasp while Suman collapsed. Medical officers at Rajbari Sadar Hospital declared him dead. Safia survived with minor injuries. The incident was confirmed by the Agriculture Officer, Md. Jony Khan.
Bagerhat: Robin Hawlader (53), a day labourer in Sarkardanga village, was killed in the afternoon while retrieving cattle from a field. Inspector Shahidul Islam of Bagerhat Model Police Station confirmed the death.
Gazipur: Md. Zakir Hossain Khan (32), a fisherman, died in Baraiya village of Kaliganj while delivering fish to a friend’s house. OC Md. Zakir Hossain confirmed the fatality.
Rangpur: In Taraganj Upazila, Sahera Begum died at 11:00 in Kajipara village. She was struck while moving her cattle from the courtyard to the shed. Union Parishad Chairman Al-Ibadat Hossain confirmed the occurrence.
The meteorological department continues to advise citizens to remain indoors during thunderstorms and to avoid contact with metal objects or open fields during electrical activity.