An 18-year-old student was killed by a lightning strike in Atpara upazila of Netrokona on Friday morning while he was cutting grass for his family’s cattle.
The incident occurred at around 8.45am in Malliknagar village, under Luneshwar Union, as light rain was falling across the area. The deceased was identified as Al Mamun, son of Al Amin of the same village.
According to police, Mamun had recently appeared in the Higher Secondary Certificate examination. After completing his examinations, he had been staying at home and helping his family with routine household work. As part of his responsibilities, he regularly looked after the family’s cattle.
On Friday morning, Mamun went to a field in front of his home to collect grass for the cattle. There had been intermittent drizzle since early morning. While he was working in the field, lightning suddenly struck the area at about 9am. Mamun was fatally injured at the scene.
Mohammad Idris, a sub-inspector at Atpara Police Station, said the circumstances of the incident had been confirmed through information provided by the victim’s family.
Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Zobaidul Islam confirmed the death and said police had filed an unnatural death case in connection with the incident. The authorities are expected to follow the standard legal procedures concerning the death.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by lightning during the monsoon season, particularly in rural areas where people often continue outdoor activities despite rain and thunderstorms. Farmers, livestock owners and others working in open fields can face heightened risks when thunderstorms develop suddenly.
Local residents are being urged to exercise caution whenever dark clouds, strong winds or thunder are observed. During thunderstorms, people outdoors are advised to move into a substantial enclosed building or a safe vehicle as quickly as possible rather than remaining in open fields or near isolated trees.
Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Khondkar Mushfikur Rahman said the government would provide immediate financial assistance of Tk 20,000 to Mamun’s family to help meet the costs associated with his burial and funeral arrangements.
The death of the young student has cast a pall of grief over Malliknagar, with the tragedy coming shortly after he completed his HSC examinations and was preparing to move on to the next stage of his education and life.
