Lightning claims 6 lives in Jashore, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Munshiganj

At least six people, including a schoolboy and a housewife, were killed in separate thunder strikes across Jashore, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah and Munshiganj districts today (16 April).

In Jashore's Manirampur upazila, farmer Lutfur Rahman Sardar, 68, was killed by a thunder strike while returning home from a field in Shahapur village this afternoon. At least 20 people were injured across the district as a nor'easter lasting over two and a half hours caused widespread damage, with the power supply snapped in several unions since the afternoon. 

In Chuadanga, two people were killed in separate lightning incidents. Russel Hossain, 25, died after being struck while working in a field at noon in Jibannagar upazila, confirmed Solaiman Sheikh, officer-in-charge of Jibannagar police station.

In Chuadanga's Damurhuda upazila, Ajimuddin, 15, a class IX student, was killed when lightning struck him while he was taking food to his father in the afternoon, said OC Mehedi Hasan of Darshana police station. 

In Jhenaidah's Maheshpur upazila, housewife Rozina Khatun, 32, was killed by a thunderbolt while working in her yard amid rain at Bathangachi village, said OC Mehedi Hasan of Maheshpur police station.

In Munshiganj's Tongibari upazila, two young men were killed by lightning, reports BSS.

The deceased are Rizon Dhali, 20 son of Momin Dhali from the Fazushah area of Tongibari upazila, and Arafat Khan,22, son of Jasim Khan from the Dighirpar area of the same upazila.

According to police, around 3pm today, Rizon Dhali was seriously injured by a lightning strike while working in an agricultural field. 

Around the same time, Arafat Khan was also critically injured by lightning while returning home in the Dighirpar area. They were taken in critical condition to Tongibari Health Complex, where the on-duty doctors declared them dead.

Officer-in-Charge of Tongibari Police Station, Mohammad Monirul Haque (Dablu), told BSS that the bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their families.

In Jashore's Keshabpur upazila, the nor'easter and hailstorm caused extensive damage to homes, trees, and crops, with around 150 bighas of paddy flattened and mango and jackfruit severely damaged. Nine injured people received treatment at Keshabpur Upazila Health Complex, with two referred to Jashore General Hospital. 

Power lines remained disrupted in several unions until evening. Alauddin, principal of Mulgram Darul Ullum Alim Madrasah, said a tree fell on the institution's roof, causing major damage. Abdullah Al Mamun, Keshabpur upazila agriculture officer, said assessment of crop damage is underway.

Jashore Power Distribution Company-2 general manager Hadiuzzaman said 16 electric poles were broken in Manirampur and Keshabpur, and workers are working through the night. Jashore district relief and rehabilitation officer Sheikh Abdul Kader said local representatives and officials have been instructed to assess the damage.