Fear grips Sunamganj haors as lightning incidents rise

Farmers in the haor areas of Sunamganj are harvesting, threshing and drying paddy under growing fear of lightning strikes, as fatalities have increased significantly in recent years.
Despite government initiatives, such as planting palm trees and installing lightning arrester devices, farmers alleged that these measures have had little practical impact. They have called for effective, technology-based solutions to reduce casualties.
According to the District Disaster Management Department, lightning killed 11 people in 2020, 11 in 2021, 24 in 2022, 23 in 2023, 10 in 2024, 9 in 2025, and at least 6 people as of April 19 this year. Local estimates suggest the actual number may be higher, with more than 200 deaths reported over the past decade.
On 18 April alone, five people were killed, six injured and five livestock died in separate lightning incidents across four upazilas, Jamalganj, Tahirpur, Dharmapasha and Dirai, triggering fresh concerns among farmers.
Locals said lightning-related deaths have risen sharply over the past 5–7 years, a trend they claim was not observed earlier. Some residents attribute the increase to the removal of underground lightning protection pillars dating back to the British era, although this claim remains unverified.
Farmers of Shanir Haor in Tahirpur upazila alleged that 5–7 years ago, a group of people visited the haor under the pretext of gas exploration but reportedly removed underground pillars believed to date back to the British era. They claimed that lightning incidents in the haor have increased since then.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief declared lightning a natural disaster in 2016 and identified 15 high-risk districts, including Sunamganj. In 2024, a project costing Tk1.44 crore installed 18 lightning arrester machines in six upazilas. However, officials admitted that the effectiveness of these devices remains unclear.
District Disaster Management and Relief Officer Mohammad Hasibul Hasan said awareness campaigns and limited financial assistance have been provided to affected families. “We are encouraging people to seek shelter during storms,” he said.
“Although 18 lightning arrester machines have been installed across six upazilas in the district, their effectiveness remains uncertain.”
Farmers said worsening weather patterns, including untimely storms, hail and lightning, have made fieldwork increasingly dangerous, leading to labour shortages during peak harvesting season.
“We are afraid to work in the haor during storms. Labourers are also unwilling to come,” said Amin Mia, a farmer from Jamalganj.
Farmers from Tahirpur and Bishwambarpur upazilas echoed similar concerns, noting that fear of lightning has disrupted harvesting activities and increased costs.
Local residents and activists have urged the government to implement sustainable and effective lightning protection measures and increase compensation for victims’ families, many of whom lose their sole earning members.
Bishwambarpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abdul Matin Khan advised farmers and workers to remain vigilant and move to safe shelters during storms.