Two young men have tragically lost their lives after being struck by lightning during a sudden spell of severe pre-monsoon weather in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj on Thursday afternoon, as powerful Kalbaishakhi storms swept across the region.
The fatal incidents occurred at approximately 2:30pm in the Fazushah and Dighirpar areas, when dark storm clouds, heavy rain and thunderstorm activity developed rapidly, catching many residents outdoors unprepared.
Table of Contents
Victims identified in separate incidents
The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Rijan Dhali, son of Monir Dhali from the Fazushah Ariyal area under Ariyal Union, and 22-year-old Arafat Rakib Khan, son of Jasim Khan from Hayarpur area under Dighirpar Union.
Although both deaths occurred within minutes of each other, they happened in separate locations and under different circumstances.
Struck while working and returning from sport
According to local accounts, Rijan Dhali had been engaged in agricultural work near his home when the weather began to deteriorate. As the storm intensified, he went to retrieve cattle from a nearby field. During this time, he was caught in sudden lightning activity and suffered a direct strike. Locals rushed him to Tongibari Upazila Health Complex, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
In a separate incident in Dighirpar, Arafat Rakib Khan was returning home on foot after playing football with friends. Witnesses said he was walking along a rural road when the weather turned severe and lightning struck nearby. He died instantly, according to residents who later reached the scene.
Medical confirmation of deaths
Dr Nure Alam Siddiqui, residential medical officer at Tongibari Upazila Health Complex, confirmed that both victims had already died before being brought to the facility.
“Both individuals were brought in without signs of life. They had died prior to arrival at the hospital,” he said.
Police procedures completed
Tongibari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Monirul Haque Dulu confirmed the incidents and said standard legal procedures were carried out following the deaths.
“An inquest was conducted and all necessary formalities were completed. The bodies have been handed over to their respective families,” he stated.
Incident overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Fazushah and Dighirpar, Tongibari, Munshiganj |
| Time | Thursday, around 2:30pm |
| Cause | Lightning strike during Kalbaishakhi storm |
| Victims | Rijan Dhali (18), Arafat Rakib Khan (22) |
| Activity at time | Farming work; returning after playing football |
| Hospital status | Both declared dead on arrival |
| Police action | Inquest completed; bodies handed over |
Seasonal hazard claims young lives
The tragedy occurred amid a period of volatile pre-monsoon weather, when thunderstorms and lightning strikes are frequent across Bangladesh. Kalbaishakhi storms, which develop rapidly in the afternoons, often bring sudden rain, gusty winds and intense electrical activity.
Experts have repeatedly warned that lightning remains one of the deadliest natural hazards in the country during this season, particularly in rural areas where people continue outdoor agricultural work, travel on foot, or engage in recreational activities such as sports even as weather conditions deteriorate.
Community in shock
The deaths of two young men from neighbouring areas have cast a deep pall over Tongibari. Residents described both victims as energetic and well-known within their communities, making the suddenness of the tragedy especially distressing for families and neighbours.
Authorities have urged the public to take immediate shelter during thunderstorms, avoid open fields, waterlogged areas and isolated outdoor spaces, and remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions.
As Bangladesh continues to experience frequent seasonal storms, officials say greater awareness and timely precaution are essential to reducing preventable lightning-related fatalities in the future.