Three farmers have been killed and two others injured in separate lightning strikes in Mahadebpur and Niamatpur upazilas of Naogaon district. The incidents occurred on Wednesday (6 May) around midday in Alideona Kurapara village under Mahadebpur and in Ramnagar and Khoddochampa villages under Niamatpur.
The deceased have been identified as Dilip Chandra Barman, son of the late Haricharan Barman of Kurapara village in Mahadebpur; Anukul Chandra Mahanta, son of Patu Mahanta of Ramnagar village in Niamatpur; and a farmer from the Khaskherhat Uthapara area of neighbouring Chapainawabganj district. The identity of the latter victim could not be confirmed immediately.
Those injured are Jibon, son of Madan of Kurapara village, and Narayan, son of the late Lokhon, both from Mahadebpur, along with Anukul Chandra Mahanta from Niamatpur.
According to local accounts, farmers Dilip Barman, Jibon and Narayan were harvesting paddy in a field near Kurapara Dighi in Alideona village when a sudden and loud lightning strike occurred. Dilip Barman died on the spot, while Jibon and Narayan sustained serious injuries. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Mahadebpur Upazila Health Complex. As their condition deteriorated, on-duty doctors referred them to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
In a separate incident in Niamatpur, Anukul Chandra Mahanta was struck by lightning while returning home after collecting harvested paddy from a field in Ramnagar village. He died at the scene.
Another farmer was killed in Khoddochampa village of the same upazila while harvesting paddy. He was a resident of Khaskherhat Uthapara area in Chapainawabganj district. His name could not be confirmed immediately at the time of reporting.
Local police have confirmed the fatalities and injuries resulting from the separate lightning strikes.
Summary of incidents
| Location | Activity at time of incident | Fatalities | Injuries | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahadebpur, Alideona Kurapara | Paddy harvesting | Dilip Chandra Barman | Jibon, Narayan | One dead, two injured |
| Niamatpur, Ramnagar | Returning after collecting paddy | Anukul Chandra Mahanta | None | One dead |
| Niamatpur, Khoddochampa | Paddy harvesting | Unidentified farmer | None | One dead |
Mahadebpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Omar Faruk and Niamatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman confirmed that three people were killed and two others injured in the separate lightning incidents. They added that further investigation and necessary administrative steps would follow after verification of details.