Representative image.
Representative image. Source - Internet

At least 19 people have been killed as lightning strikes from freak storms during the monsoon season in eight districts of Bangladesh.

As per a report published by bdnews24.com on Sunday, at least 16 people were injured on Sunday when lightning bolts slammed into the ground in Magura, Naogaon, Sirajganj, Noakhali, Rangamati, Sunamganj, Brahmanbaria, Gazipur and Gopalganj.

On Sunday, five people were killed and four others injured in Sirajganj due to outburst of lightning in different areas of the district.

In Shahjadpur Upazila, two persons died and two others died in Kazipur Upazila and one in Kamarkhanda  Upazila. Th deceased have been identified as 17-year-old Nabil, 15-year-old Polin, 55-year-old Shamsul Mandal, Mandal’s 14-year-old son Arman and 37-year-old Kader Hossain.

As per the report Shamsul and his son struck by lightning when they were working in a peanut field on Sunday morning, said Kazpur UP Chairman Md Harun.

He also informed that they died on their way to Kazipur Health Complex.

The report quoted Tanjila Begum, medical officer of Kamarkhanda Upazila Health Complex, as saying, “Another victim Kader Hossin was hit by lightning while working on a paddy field around 10 am and died on his way to hospital.”

Nabil and Polin were struck by lightning as they were gathering mangoes during the storm.

“Four others injured by lightning strikes and have been admitted to Shahjadpur Sadar Hospital,” informed Rajibul Islam Siddiqui, a medical officer.

In Magura, four persons were killed in Sadar Upazila, Raigram and Salikha Upazila.

The report quoted Ashraf Hossain of Magura Sadar Police Station as saying, “Shamim, a van driver, was struck by lightning while he was heading towards Sreepur Upazila from Magura.”

The second victim Alam was killed returning home to Raigram from Magura.

The third victim, Mededi, was struck by in lightning while he was working on a mobile phone tower at Bunagati village in Shalikha. He was rushed to hospital where emergency department doctor Porikkhit Paul declared him dead.

The fourth victim is Prahallad Biwas, 40, son of Shaktipada Biwas of Bakolbaria village.

In Naogaon, two persons were killed and three others injured in lightning and thunderstorm. Sonavan, a 22-year-old housewife at Shapahar Upazila and Muktar Hossain, a 14-year-old schoolboy at Porsha Upazila were killed.  Sonavan’s husband and two others were also injured.

According to OC of Shapahar Police Station Shamsul Alam, the injured are Rubel Hossain, 28, Saleha Bibi, 42 and Raj Ahmadur, 12.

In Sunamganj, Lalit Mia, 30, of Sadar Upazila, was killed when lightning struck him around 10am.

According to Sadar Police Station OC, Lalit was working at the paddy field at that time. He was taken to the hospital, but the duty doctor pronounced him dead.

The Rangamati victim, housewife Mansura Begum, 35, was a resident of Muslim Block area of Baghaichharhi Upazila of the hills district, according to local police.

In Noakhali, two people were killed and as many others injured. The deceased are Iqbal Hasnat Piash, a 13-year-old schoolboy in Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila and Md Shaheen, 26, of Tajumddin Upazila in Bhola.

In Gazipur, two persons died due to lightning strikes while five others were injured. The deceased have been identified as 28-year-old Jafirul Islam, a resident of Gobindaganj Upazila of Gaibandha district and 43-year-old Bilkis Begum, a resident of Sreepur Upazila’s  Rajbari Union  and wife of Kalu Kabiraj.

In Brahmanbaria, one 40-year-old Abdur Rahim was killed. The storm and lightning also injured two others. Rahim was from Moulavibazar but working as a day labourer in the paddy field at Akhaurha Upazila.

The Gopalganj victim has been identified as 22-year-old Ashok Pandey, a resident of Kotaliparha Upazila’s Sadullahpur Union.  Ashok stood by the side of the road during the rain. He was injured by a lightning bolt and rushed to the hospital where doctors declared him dead, informed Union Parishad Chairman Bhim Baroi.