STAR REPORT

Ten people and more than 50 cattle were killed in lightning strikes in Patuakhali, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Barguna and Shariatpur yesterday.

In Patuakhali, Saurav Majumdar, 22, of Charganga village under Borobaishdia union, was struck by lightning and killed while tying cattle in a field in Charganga village of Rangabali upazila around 9:00am.

He was taken to Galachipa Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead, said Rangabali Police Station OC Md Jasim Uddin. Family members said he had become a father a week ago.

Locals said Zahir Uddin, 28, was killed around 1:00pm while working in a maize field in Tarikata village of Kalapara upazila.

At around 2:00pm, Setara Begum, 55, of Purba Chakamaiya village, died after being struck by lightning while going to feed her cattle.

In another incident around the same time, Khalek Hawladar, 55, of Shantipur village, was killed while returning home with cattle from a field.

Besides, in Kalapara upazila, more than 50 cattle died in lightning strikes over two days of thunderstorms, leaving over 30 farmers with heavy losses. The deaths were reported in coastal areas, including around Payra Port. Farmers said such losses were unprecedented.

Many had been preparing to sell cattle ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, but the storms dashed their hopes. The Department of Livestock has so far confirmed 29 cattle deaths involving 23 farmers.

A Kalbaishakhi storm with heavy rain and lightning hit the area on Tuesday afternoon, with reports of cattle deaths emerging in the evening. Farmers estimated losses at around Tk 6 million.

Kalapara Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Maruf Billah said the toll may rise as reports continue to come in. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kausar Hamid said a list of affected farmers is being prepared for assistance.

In Jamalpur, two people were killed in separate lightning strikes.

The victims were Shamim, 38, a fisherman from Islampur upazila, and Sagar, 13, a labourer from Dewanganj upazila.

Shamim was struck while fishing in a river early in the morning, while Sagar was hit at a road construction site. Their bodies were later recovered locally.

Islampur Police Station OC Md Abdul Kaiyum Gazi said necessary steps are being taken.

In Mymensingh, Md Saddam Hossain, 28, of Gabragati village in Tarakanda upazila, was killed while fishing in the Rangsa River at noon. Police said an unnatural death case has been filed.

In Barguna, fisherman Al-Amin of Patharghata and farmer Nurjaman of Amtali were killed in separate lightning strikes.

Al-Amin was fishing in the Baleshwar River, while Nurjaman was fishing in a waterlogged field.

Patharghata Police Station OC Md Enamul Haque and Amtali UNO Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury confirmed the deaths.

The UNO said the farmer’s family has been given Tk 25,000 in assistance.

In Shariatpur, Rajib Sheikh, 32, was killed while fishing in the Kirtinasha River in Naria upazila.

Naria UNO Abdul Kaiyum said Rajib died on the spot, and the administration has provided Tk 25,000 as initial assistance to the victim’s family, with further support assured.

(Our Patuakhali, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, and Shariatpur correspondents contributed to this report)