Lightning kills 72 this year, with farmers the worst affected, says SSTF

This year, lightning bolts have continued to claim lives in open-field environments

Lightning strikes have killed 72 people this year, with farmers accounting for the majority of victims, according to the Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF).

In a media statement on Saturday, the voluntary group said 14 people died in lightning incidents on Apr 26 alone, underscoring the growing threat.

Most of those killed this year were farmers working in open fields.

The SSTF issued three key safety directives for farmers:

• Take immediate shelter when dark clouds gather while working outdoors.

• Do not stand under trees during rainfall under any circumstances.

• Wear footwear while working in fields to reduce risk.

Marking May Day, SSTF teams visited the Arial Beel area of Munshiganj on Friday, conducting awareness campaigns among more than 100 farmers and demonstrating safety practices.

The organisation said its representatives also travelled to Sirajdikhan in Munshiganj and Nawabganj in Dhaka, dividing farmers harvesting paddy into small groups to deliver the guidance.

Drinks and saline were distributed during the sessions.

SSTF General Secretary Rashim Molla stressed the urgency of building shelters in rural fields.

“Immediate construction of shelters is essential to ensure farmers’ safety at the field level,” he said, urging sustained awareness drives between March and June.

Joint Secretary Mostak Ahmed said rising global temperatures and widespread felling of large trees in rural areas have increased lightning risks.

“Many believe taking shelter under trees is safe, but this is entirely wrong. Concrete structures are far safer,” he said.