Alarming rise in lightning deaths

The number of deaths caused by lightning has increased in Bangladesh. Last year, 261 persons were killed by lightning, forcing the government to declare it as a major natural disaster. As of October, a total of 170 persons died due to lightning, according to media reports.

Experts put the blame on climate change. The internationally renowned journal, Nature, for example, in a report last year, supported the argument. It said lightning incidents had increased around the world.

I draw the attention of the concerned authorities to work and research more to develop precautionary techniques. In the urban areas, building owners must be forced to install lightning prevention systems. In the rural areas, the plantation of palm trees may help. In addition, people should be made aware of what to do during a lightning.