Lightning strikes leave 14 dead across 7 dists

At least 14 people were killed and several others injured in lightning strikes across the country between Sunday noon and evening, as thundery showers followed a week-long heatwave.
Fatalities were reported in six northern districts - Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Bogura, and Natore - as well as the north-central district of Jamalpur. 
After more than a week of intense heat, rain lashed parts of Dhaka, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions on Sunday, accompanied by frequent lightning.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said that scattered rainfall is likely to continue for the remainder of the month, which may provide further respite from the heatwave.
Gaibandha was the worst-affected district, with five deaths reported in Sundarganj and Saghata upazilas in separate incidents. Two people were injured, while a cow and a horse were also killed.
The deceased have been identified as Fuad Hasan, 24, son of former Union Parishad (UP) chairman Jahangir Alam Chowdhury Suja; Rafi, 10, son of Mojahid Chowdhury Choton; Mizanur Rahman, 17, an SSC candidate; Manik Mia, 35; and Nombor Ali, 65.
Fuad, Rafi, and Mizanur were struck by lightning at approximately 4pm while standing near a road in South Dhopadanga, Sundarganj upazila. Shamim Ahmed, 16, and Abdur Rashid, 18, sustained injuries in the same incident.
Dhopadanga UP Chairman Moklesur Rahman Mondal confirmed the tragedy, while Haldia UP acting chairman Masud Rana and Bonarpara UP Chairman Nasirul Alam Swapan confirmed the deaths of Manik and Nombor Ali in Saghata. Dr Asif Ur Rahman, resident medical officer at Gaibandha General Hospital, confirmed that five victims were brought to the facility; three were pronounced dead on arrival, while two remain under treatment.
In Panchagarh's Atwari upazila, 25-year-old tea worker Sohrawardi died while plucking leaves. Two others, Mostafa, 45, and Zaherul Islam, 43, were injured. 
Atwari police station Officer-in-Charge Matiar Rahman confirmed the incident, noting that an unnatural death (UD) case has been filed.
In Sirajganj, two farmers - Abdul Hamid, 50, and Hasan Ali, 24 - were killed in Tarash and Raiganj upazilas at around 4:30pm while working in the rain, according to police.
In Bogura, 35-year-old Sumon died in Gabtoli while fetching goats from a field during the downpour at roughly 3:45pm, confirmed Officer-in-Charge Abu Musa.
In Jamalpur, two fatalities were recorded in Melandah and Sadar upazilas. 
Marzina Begum, a 22-year-old housewife, died en route to hospital after being struck in her kitchen. Another woman, Shefali, 28, was injured. 
In a separate incident, Hasmat Ali Hasu, 45, died while bringing cattle in from a field. Four others - Anwar, 34; Shawon, 25; Sefali, 27; and Sukhi, 14 - sustained injuries. 
Melandah police station Officer-in-Charge Obaidur Rahman and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Naznin Akhter confirmed the deaths.
In Thakurgaon, two people were killed in Pirganj upazila. The deceased were identified as Laboni Akter, 35, and Ilias Ali, 37. 
Local sources said Laboni was struck at around 1:45pm while returning home after cutting grass, while Ilias was hit during a sudden downpour while inspecting crops.
In Natore, 26-year-old Samrat Mia died after being struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in Singra. 
He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries at approximately 4:30pm, according to Singra police station Officer-in-Charge Rakibul Islam.