Steps needed to reduce deaths by lightning

It is worrying to note that deaths by lightning are occurring in the country with a disturbing regularity. According to a report of this newspaper yesterday, at least 10 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in four districts on Saturday. Moreover, at least 126 people were killed by lightning strikes across Bangladesh in May and June this year, according to data compiled by a non-government organisation. Data shows at least 359 people were killed by lightning last year, breaking all previous records.

Experts are of the opinion that change in global climate is mainly responsible for the increasing incidents of lightning. Human beings have no control over the freak of nature. Nature’s fury cannot be tamed either but by taking precautions lives can be saved. A person can save himself/herself from the strike of thunderbolt if precaution is taken. During the stormy weather one should not remain outdoors, but at villages farmers have to work in the crop field and they become victims of lightning. Everybody should be cautious as to what they should do during inclement weather, but the farmers must be made more cautious as they work in the open where there are no long trees.

Palms and other long trees which were more common at villages in the past used to absorb lightning but as they are hard to come by now, there is this increase of deaths by lightning. Experts are of the opinion that the dwindling number of palm trees in the countryside may have led to the increase in number of deaths due to lightning strikes.

Where palm trees exist, the number of deaths due to lightning strikes is lower than the palm tree less areas. The problem has prompted the government to add lightning strikes to the country's list of official types of disasters, which includes floods, cyclones and storm surges, earthquakes, drought and riverbank erosion, among others. As a result, the government now compensates lightning strike victims or their families.   

As part of the government’s reforestation campaign, launched in 2016, a good number of palm seeds were planted in different districts of the country.  What is needed now is massive tree plantation for protecting environment.  The issue of lightning warrants serious attention.          

 

 

Steps needed to reduce deaths by lightning

It is worrying to note that deaths by lightning are occurring in the country with a disturbing regularity. According to a report of this newspaper yesterday, at least 10 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in four districts on Saturday. Moreover, at least 126 people were killed by lightning strikes across Bangladesh in May and June this year, according to data compiled by a non-government organisation. Data shows at least 359 people were killed by lightning last year, breaking all previous records. Experts are of the opinion that change in global climate is mainly responsible for the increasing incidents of lightning. Human beings have no control over the freak of nature. Natures fury cannot be tamed either but by taking precautions lives can be saved. A person can save himself/herself from the strike of thunderbolt if precaution is taken. During the stormy weather one should not remain outdoors, but at villages farmers have to work in the crop field and they become victims of lightning. Everybody should be cautious as to what they should do during inclement weather, but the farmers must be made more cautious as they work in the open where there are no long trees. Palms and other long trees which were more common at villages in the past used to absorb lightning but as they are hard to come by now, there is this increase of deaths by lightning. Experts are of the opinion that the dwindling number of palm trees in the countryside may have led to the increase in number of deaths due to lightning strikes. Where palm trees exist, the number of deaths due to lightning strikes is lower than the palm tree less areas. The problem has prompted the government to add lightning strikes to the countrys list of official types of disasters, which includes floods, cyclones and storm surges, earthquakes, drought and riverbank erosion, among others. As a result, the government now compensates lightning strike victims or their families. As part of the governments reforestation campaign, launched in 2016, a good number of palm seeds were planted in different districts of the country. What is needed now is massive tree plantation for protecting environment. The issue of lightning warrants serious attention.