Call for forecasts, early action to cut lightning deaths

Government data says 3,658 people died between 2015 and 2025

Both “forecasting and early action” are essential to reduce deaths from lightning strikes which kill more people every year than cyclones and floods, say disaster management professionals.

Public awareness about lightning may help reduce fatalities, they said at a workshop organised by an NGO in Dhaka on Monday.

Citing an estimate by the Department of Disaster Management, they said the “natural disaster” claimed the lives of 3,658 people between 2015 and 2025.

The workshop, titled “Lightning Risk Reduction and Preparedness in Bangladesh”, reviewed initiatives to prevent lightning risks, identified gaps and challenges, and discussed global measures.

Disaster Management and Relief Joint Secretary Abu Daud Md Golam Mustafa said due to high population density, farmers, children, adolescents and women are among the people most at risk of death from lightning.

“To reduce such deaths, forecasting, raising awareness and establishing appropriate shelters including lightning protection devices in high-risk areas will be emphasised."

Md Momenul Islam, director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), said 71 people died in lightning strikes from Apr 26 to May 2 despite prior warnings.

He said, “Early warnings are effective only when timely measures are implemented. This requires cooperation from all levels.”

BRAC Climate Change Director Md Liakath Ali suggested all forecasts be timely and widely disseminated across the country, hours in advance, to prepare.

“Providing timely forecasts is a major challenge to reduce the death toll from lightning strikes. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders."

The Department Of Disaster Management says 226 people died in 2015; 391 in 2016; 388 in 2017; 388 in 2018; 359 in 2019; 401 in 2020; 427 in 2021, 363 in 2022; 322 in 2023; 271 in 2024 and 173 in 2025.