Tragedy struck Rangamati and Cox’s Bazar districts on Thursday as lightning strikes claimed the lives of at least five individuals.

In Rangamati, three people fell victim to thunderbolts, while seven others sustained injuries in separate incidents during the morning hours. Among the deceased were Nazir Hossain, 50, residing in Sylheti Para, Baharjan Begum, 60, spouse of Lal Mia from Baghaichari upazila, and Thuibala Tripura, 37, hailing from Sajek.

Dr. Shawkat Akbar Khan, the resident medical officer at Rangamati General Hospital, reported that Nazir was fatally struck while fishing at Kaptai Lake. Baharjan succumbed to a lightning strike while returning home with livestock, as recounted by Jasmin Chakma, the chairman of Rupkari union. Additionally, Thuibala lost her life while working in her yard in Sajek’s Longthianpara.

Shirin Akter, Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), confirmed the deaths of Baharjan and Tripura, providing financial support to their bereaved families. Furthermore, seven individuals sustained injuries in lightning-related incidents across the district.

In Cox’s Bazar, two workers met tragic ends as lightning struck them separately in Chhari Para, Pekua upazila, early Thursday. The victims were identified as Didarul Islam, 30, son of Jamir, and Md Arafat, 25, son of Jamal Uddin.

According to local accounts, the fatal strikes occurred amidst rainfall, while the workers were collecting salt in the morning. They succumbed to the lightning in the salt field, prompting locals to rush them to Pekua Upazila Health Complex, where they were pronounced dead by the attending physician, Dr. Mujibur Rahman.

Lightning-related fatalities remain a prevalent concern in Bangladesh, with an average of 250 deaths annually, as reported by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Livestock also face significant risks from thunderbolts, contributing to the broader impact of these natural occurrences.

The months of April to June typically witness heightened lightning activity, particularly in flatlands and haor areas. Acknowledging the severity of the situation, the government declared lightning strikes a national disaster in 2016, with 2,164 recorded deaths between 2011 and 2020, as per the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.