Govt steps up measures to curb lightning deaths: Minister

The government has intensified a range of initiatives, including palm tree plantation, installation of sirens and lightning protection towers, to reduce casualties caused by lightning strikes across the country.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu shared the information in Parliament on Monday while responding to a notice on a matter of urgent public importance, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair.

He said farmers and fishermen, particularly in haor areas and other vulnerable regions, are at high risk during lightning incidents, and the government is working to enhance their safety through multiple preventive measures.

The issue was raised by a lawmaker from Sunamganj-1 constituency, who highlighted frequent casualties in haor areas due to sudden lightning strikes, especially during the summer and monsoon seasons.

Referring to recent incidents, the MP said at least 12 people were killed by lightning in different parts of the country, including four in his constituency. Citing international research, he noted that the northeastern region, particularly Sunamganj’s haor areas, experiences high lightning density.

In response, the minister said Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries and lightning has taken a severe form in recent years, particularly in the northeast.

He said the government has already taken programmes such as raising public awareness, planning to install sirens in high-risk areas to alert farmers, promoting palm tree plantation to naturally reduce risks and setting up lightning protection towers in vulnerable areas.

The minister expressed hope that strengthening these measures would help significantly reduce lightning-related fatalities.

AM