Lightning strikes kill 13 in four days in Sylhet region

SYLHET. Apr 24: Lightning strikes claimed at least 13 lives in Sylhet region in four days.
Of the total deaths seven died in Sunamganj district only. Six persons were struck by lightning on different haors in Sunamganj as they were cutting paddy on Sunday morning. Of them Mohim Mia of Debergaon, Arash Ali of Barkapon and Abdus Samad of Charmohalla under Chhatak, Tara Mia of Ronvumi and Milon Mia of Doarabazar and Ramjan Mia of Bardal in Tahirpur upazila died as they were busy cutting paddy on haors. Police confirmed the deaths.
A 10-year old boy on a boat met with the tragic incident while he was crossing the river Mora Surma at Derai upazila of Sunamganj. He was taken to the upazila hospital where the physicians declared him dead.
Three minor boys were struck by lightning in Jaintapur upazila of Sylhet on Friday. They are Nayeem Ahmed, 8, Anjuma Begum, 6, and Imon Ahmed, 10. The victims' families were given Taka 20,000 each by the upazila administration.
Farmer Shome Shabdakar, who was grazing cow at a field at Tilokpur of Komolganj upazila of Moulvibazar, died by lightning strike.
Riaz Uddin, 32, was killed by lightning strike at Pashchim Lalbag in Srimangal of Moulvibazar on Sunday.
Sixtyfive year old Anhar Mia met with the tragic incident while he was cutting paddy at a field at Mohammadpur in Balaganj on Sunday morning. Lightning claims a good number of people in haor areas of Sunamganj and Habiganj districts every year.
Years ago, the Meteorology department set up 18 modern observation centres named Automatic Weather Station (AWS) in various upazilas in the division.
The stations help collecting various weather information as well as cloud detection towards lightning, an official said.
Sunamganj district is considered as the most vulnerable for the calamity.
Meanwhile, the WDB has taken up another programme for establishment of thunder resistant devices on towers in haor region.