Bangladesh records an average of 350 lightning-related deaths each year, with experts warning that the toll may rise without urgent public awareness and timely early warning systems.
The statements were made at the country’s first-ever observance of International Lightning Safety Day, where speakers said lightning strikes Bangladesh an estimated 33,60,000 times annually, with districts like Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Sylhet being among the hardest hit.
The national-level event, held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on Saturday, was organised under the EU-funded SUFAL II project, led by CARE Bangladesh in partnership with Concern Worldwide, RIMES, and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
“Like floods and cyclones, lightning must also be treated as a disaster,” said Md Mostafizur Rahman, secretary at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, while inaugurating the event.
He also emphasised the need for real-time forecasts and behavioural change to reduce casualties.
Experts noted that the April-May period poses the highest risk, particularly for those working in open areas in rural regions. Under SUFAL II, lightning safety training has already been provided to around 1,750 people, including farmers, women, and children in high-risk zones.
Since April, BMD has been piloting a nowcasting system to issue lightning forecasts through Facebook, WhatsApp, and pre-recorded audio messages. Speakers called for this system to be institutionalised and the day to be recognised as a permanent fixture on the national calendar.
The event also included a rally and panel discussions featuring officials, weather experts, NGO representatives, students, and youth organisations. Panellists stressed the importance of integrating lightning awareness into school textbooks and increasing government investment in forecast dissemination.
The organisers said the 2025 observance of International Lightning Safety Day marks a significant step towards reducing preventable lightning-related deaths through improved forecasting, community education, and coordinated action.
bd-pratidin/GR
