Lightning kills 74, 35 of them farmers in 38 days: SSTF

Lightning strikes killed at least 74 people, 35 of them farmers, across the country in last 34 days, according to a report released by Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF) on Thursday.

SSTF issued  guidelines regarding how farmers can save themselves during thunderstorms.
The guidelines include taking shelter in a safe place as soon as possible after seeing dark clouds in the sky while working and refraining from taking shelter under trees during rains.

It advised  wearing shoes while working under the open skies and lying down while working in the field during lightning strikes.

According to the SSTF report, at least 31 people, 11 females and 20 males, were killed by lightning strikes in April, .

It says, 43 people were killed, nine females and 34 males, by lightning strikes  between May 1 and 8.

Lighting strike killed a labourer in Nachole upazila, Chapainababganj a on Thursday, increasing the toll in May to 44.

Neighbours said, 28-year old Komol Babu, son of Botis Baroar died being struck by lightning strike while working in a rice field.

The highest number of 11 deaths occurred in a single day during this period, said the SSTF report.

SSTF President Kabirul Bashar said that two reasons had been identified for the increase in lightning strikes - rising  impact of global warming and tree felling in the rural areas.

Kabir requested the government to build shelters in crop fields to save farmers from lightning strikes.
SSTF General Secretary Rashim Molla urged the government to hold  nationwide lightning awareness campaigns  from March to June every year.

"llightning strikes people in tree less fields and open spaces. Most people believe that it is better to take shelter under trees during storms, but it is wrong," Rashim Molla told reporters, adding, people have to take shelter inside houses or covered places.