Yet another person was killed by lightning in Magura. Lightning and lightning deaths are rare occurrences in October and lightning strikes mostly happen between March and May.  It is believed that changes in the global climate are responsible for the rising number of lightning deaths across the country in the last few years. As a matter of fact over 2,000 people have been killed and many others injured by lightning strikes in different parts of the country, mainly in the central and northern parts, in the last nine years. Bangladesh is at the highest risk of lightning deaths among the SAARC countries.

Most of the victims were agricultural workers. They are struck by lightning mostly while working in the open field. Experts say that people need to take appropriate precautions during lightning strikes and check the weather forecast before going out. Everyone should keep away from tall trees, electric pillars and towers. People should not touch metals and corrugated iron. People should take shelter under concrete ceilings during thunderbolts. Lightning arresters, a low-cost technology, can be adopted all over the country to save lives and stop undue damages from lightning strike.

 No elaborate research has been done on lightning in our country. Owing to lack of authentic data, it is difficult to determine whether lightning strikes have actually increased in recent times. But there is no doubt that the number of deaths is increasing. Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities in the country.

The districts adjacent to the haor regions are particularly prone to lightning strikes. The government has taken an initiative to plant one million plum trees across the haor areas. It is commendable, but these trees will take time to grow tall enough to absorb lightning. Moreover, experts suggest long towers be built, because trees will die once they absorb a strike. The government should heed their advice. The government should launch a countrywide awareness campaign to convince people not to be under the open sky during thunderstorms. In addition, people should be encouraged to install lightning rods in their houses, which could reduce potential damage. However, the key to building a sustainable defence against nature's wrath lies in preventive measures such as stopping deforestation and environmental degradation. Rather than build a new defence, it would be wiser for us to not destroy the existing natural ones. Preventive measures are where our focus, efforts and resources should be expended.