DHAKA, Bangladesh — At least 13 people were killed and four others injured by lightning strikes across multiple districts in Bangladesh on Sunday, May 11, 2025, as extreme weather conditions persist amid a scorching heatwave, according to local reports and the Anadolu news agency.
The fatalities were reported in the eastern district of Brahmanbaria and central Kishoreganj, where nine people, including a child and several farmers, lost their lives.
One death each was also recorded in Chapaiwabganj, Naogaon, Sherpur, and Habiganj districts, according to Channel 24 TV.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) had earlier forecast thunderstorms for large parts of the country on Sunday evening as high temperatures continued to grip the nation, including the capital, Dhaka.
The latest deaths come just two weeks after a similar wave of lightning strikes killed 17 people in seven districts on Monday, April 28, 2025, raising urgent concerns over public safety during thunderstorm season.
A local organisation, Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum, which advocates for storm safety awareness, expressed alarm at the rising death toll.
In a statement, the group’s president, Kabirul Bashar — a professor at Jahangirnagar University — said more than 70% of lightning-related deaths involve individuals engaged in agricultural work.
“There is no way to prevent lightning, but raising awareness can save lives,” Bashar noted, calling for increased public education and preventative measures, particularly for rural workers.
Lightning strikes are a recurrent hazard in Bangladesh, particularly during the pre-monsoon season from April to June.
According to United Nations data, the country averages 300 lightning-related deaths annually.
Between January and April this year, 67 people were killed, while 297 fatalities were recorded in 2024.
In response to the mounting toll, the BMD began issuing regular lightning alerts on April 1, 2025, urging the public to take safety precautions during storm activity.
Officials and meteorologists continue to advise residents — especially farmers and outdoor labourers — to seek shelter during storms and avoid working in open fields during thunderstorm-prone hours.
