Residents of the hilly areas of the country never used to fear lightning strikes. The tall trees nestled in the folds of the towering hills always provided them with protection. However, recently, at the first sign of dense clouds, the inhabitants of the hills quickly return home or seek safe shelter.
On the morning of May 5, lightning strikes in the Dighinala, Matiranga, and Ramgarh upazilas of Khagrachari district resulted in the deaths of four people, including women and children. Scientists state that this region is experiencing such deadly lightning strikes for the first time due to severe climate change across Bangladesh.
Explaining the situation, Dr Murad Ahmed Farukh, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Bangladesh Agricultural University, told Jago News, "This time, the nature of the lightning strikes is significantly different. It is happening because of climate change. The landscape here plays an important role. When the vapor-laden air from the Bay of Bengal enters Bangladesh, it travels directly north and is obstructed by the hills of India’s Seven Sisters or Sylhet, forming clouds. This increase in cloud formation leads to more lightning strikes in the Sylhet region of the country."
"But this time, the three-week heatwave came from central and southern India. Crossing the vast plains, this heatwave entered the country through the western region and struck the hilly areas of Chittagong. As a result, there were severe lightning strikes across the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the entire country, leading to fatalities. This is not a normal pattern of nature. Typically, lightning strikes in Bangladesh start from the southern region and gradually move north. But this time, it struck from the western region to the eastern region. Such an event has not occurred in the past 76 years. We have not had such a prolonged heatwave in the country either."
On May 5, in the Betachari cemetery area of Dighinala in Khagrachari, Hasina Begum (30), wife of car driver Sadeq Ali, and her son Hanif Mia (8) died from lightning strikes. At that time, Hasina’s other child, 11-year-old Md. Habiz, survived as he was outside the house.
Hasina Begum is among the 3,100 people in Bangladesh who have died from lightning strikes in the past decade. A study by the Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience at Dhaka University reported that 3,100 people have died in the last decade. In the past three months alone, at least 100 people have died. Among them, 170 in 2014, 226 in 2015, 391 in 2016, 307 in 2017, 359 in 2018, 198 in 2019, 255 in 2020, 314 in 2021, 346 in 2022, and 340 in 2023. In the past two and a half months of 2024, at least 100 people have died.
The number of deaths due to lightning strikes during this period accounts for more than one-third of the deaths caused by natural disasters. Additionally, those who survive lightning strikes often have to live with symptoms such as paralysis, weakness, dizziness, memory loss, and reduced sexual function.
Professor Dr M A Farukh stated, "In environmental science terms, death by lightning is a direct 'weather-related death.' When lightning strikes, it can deliver a temperature of nearly 30,000 degrees Celsius or 800 volts of electricity into the victim's body in just a few milliseconds, resulting in immediate death. Even if not directly hit, the victim can suffer severe damage."
"The current situation of lightning is no longer just a hazard; it has now fully transformed into a disaster. In the last two decades, no specific disaster has caused as many deaths as lightning strikes have."
A study recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Heliyon, titled 'GIS-based spatial analysis of lightning situation in Bangladesh,' states that most fatalities occur in the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, with the northern and northeastern regions being the most vulnerable areas.
The study further mentions that due to its geographical location, Bangladesh is among the most at-risk countries in the world for fatalities caused by lightning strikes. The pattern and characteristics of the weather in Bangladesh are significantly changing due to global warming, leading to prolonged heatwaves, cold spells, and seasonal shifts, which, in turn, are increasing the frequency of lightning strikes.
What Are the Reasons for the Increase in Lightning Strikes in Bangladesh?
Even after 53 years of independence, Bangladesh lacks the equipment to measure or understand the dynamics of lightning strikes. However, Finland's Vaisala Corporation measures lightning strikes worldwide using their 'GLD360' satellite, which monitors the global lightning system. According to their data from the past six years, an average of 786,000 lightning strikes occur annually within Bangladesh's airspace. Of these, about one-third, or over 200,000 strikes, hit the ground.
Prof Dr M A Farukh explains, "There are specific reasons behind the increase in lightning strikes in Bangladesh. These include atmospheric temperature and rainfall. Recently, a heatwave lasting almost three weeks persisted in Bangladesh, which is unprecedented. This heatwave has directly contributed to the increase in lightning strikes. Another factor is the increase in air humidity. In this extreme heat, water from our rivers evaporates, increasing moisture in the clouds. More moisture in the clouds raises the likelihood of lightning strikes."
He adds, "Additionally, the charge from mobile towers and air pollution have become significant factors. The substantial heat generated due to urbanization also increases the likelihood of lightning strikes. Moreover, the cutting down of large trees has increased the damage caused by lightning. Naturally, as the frequency of lightning increases, so does the extent of the damage."
Rashim Molla, the Secretary of the Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTAF), says, "The main reasons for the increase in lightning strikes are global warming and the cutting down of tall trees. A one-degree increase in temperature results in a 12% increase in lightning strikes. In the past 25 years, Bangladesh's temperature has risen by 1.5 degrees Celsius. The increase in temperature is a significant cause of the rise in lightning strikes."
Increased Lightning-Prone Areas:
Due to the impact of climate change, the frequency of lightning strikes in the country is increasing, as is the extent of lightning-prone areas. Regions of the country that previously experienced few lightning strikes are now seeing an increase in such incidents.
Traditionally, the Haor region and the northwest of the country are identified as lightning-prone areas. Recently, the incidence of lightning strikes and related fatalities has also increased in other hilly regions.
Professor Dr Md Zillur Rahman, Chair of the Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience at the University of Dhaka, said, "The temperatures in the southern and hilly regions of the country were not as high as they are now. With the rise in temperature, lightning strikes have also increased. Areas that were already prone to lightning will now experience even more, and regions with fewer incidents will see an increase. If this temperature trend continues, there will be 50% more lightning storms annually."
According to the Department of Disaster Management, the number of deaths due to lightning strikes has increased in the southern, coastal, and hilly regions of the country over the past two years. This includes districts such as Jessore, Barisal, Patuakhali, Cox's Bazar, Shariatpur, Satkhira, Brahmanbaria, Narsingdi, Comilla, Khulna, Kushtia, Chittagong, Rangamati, and Khagrachari.
Rashim Molla stated, "In Bangladesh, 70% of all lightning strikes occur in April, May, and June. The months of April and May, before the monsoon winds arrive, see the highest incidence in Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Moulvibazar. During the monsoon season, the intensity increases in areas like Sunamganj and Rangamati-Chittagong. In winter, Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat are more affected."
Lack of Proper Initiatives to Prevent Deaths from Lightning Strikes
Climate experts in Bangladesh attribute the deaths caused by lightning strikes not only to climate change but also to inadequate early warning systems and the absence of large trees.
During the International Day for Disaster Reduction in 2023, the minister mentioned that 335 lightning arresters had been installed across 15 districts. However, it is still unclear what role these arresters play in preventing lightning. Even the Department of Disaster Management remains skeptical about the effectiveness of these arresters. Consequently, officials rely on distributing leaflets to prevent lightning-related deaths.
When asked about this issue, Director General Md. Mizanur Rahman told Jagonews24, "The lightning arresters have a limited range of 100-200 meters. To cover the entire country, millions would need to be installed. Therefore, if people are not aware, it will be impossible to prevent deaths from lightning strikes. Hence, we are focusing on distributing leaflets and raising awareness at the upazila and district levels."
In 2016, the government declared lightning a 'disaster' through a notification. In 2017, the Meteorological Department installed 'lightning detection sensors' in eight locations at a cost of 680 million BDT to forecast lightning. However, this project has not been successful.
At the time of installation, it was stated that these sensors would provide information about lightning strikes 15 minutes in advance to the people in the area. Due to technical incompetence, the radars are no longer functional, and there is a lack of skilled personnel. Additionally, the agent through which these devices were procured from the United States is untraceable.
In the same year, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief launched a project to plant palm trees to prevent lightning strikes. However, after partially implementing the plan, the authorities realized that palm trees could not prevent lightning strikes. By that time, hundreds of millions of BDT had already been wasted. In 2022, the State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Md. Enamur Rahman, announced the cancellation of the palm tree project.
What Should Be Done?
When asked about this issue, Dr. M A Farukh told Jagonews24, "Planting palm trees today will not reduce lightning strikes tomorrow. A palm tree takes 20 to 25 years to reach full maturity. This is a long-term plan. In addition, medium-term and short-term plans can be implemented."
First, as part of a short-term plan, we should indiscriminately plant trees. Trees that grow tall in a short time will help prevent lightning strikes.
Second, since 86% of those affected by lightning are farmers and fishermen, the current lightning storms are short-lived, meaning clouds form quickly, resulting in heavy rainfall and many lightning strikes. During these 20 to 40 minutes of rain, there should be arrangements to shelter farmers or those working outside. Concrete shelters need to be built in extensive crop fields for this purpose.
Third, the government should forecast and publicize information about lightning. Additionally, an early warning system should be developed. Most people who die from lightning strikes are farmers and fishermen, many of whom are illiterate. Therefore, there should be training programs for field workers like farmers and fishermen. Awareness programs should be implemented at the grassroots level. If this is done, there is no doubt that the number of deaths due to lightning will decrease.