Representational Image.

DHAKA, April 26, 2026 (BSS) - Despite increasingly precise lightning forecasts and early warnings, Bangladesh continues to see a high number of deaths from thunderstorms, exposing a critical gap between meteorological alerts and public response, experts say.

Some 14 people were killed today as lightning struck multiple parts of the country, with victims often caught in open fields, returning livestock, or continuing outdoor work during rapidly changing weather conditions.

While the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has expanded its "nowcasting" system-issuing location-specific lightning alerts up to six hours in advance-officials acknowledge that the warnings are not consistently translating into life-saving action on the ground.

"Forecasting has improved significantly, but the challenge is the last-mile response," said Dr. Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, senior meteorologist at the BMD Storm Warning Center. "People are receiving warnings, but many are still not changing their behavior in time."

Mallik said rural livelihoods remain a key vulnerability, as farmers and laborers often remain in open areas when storms develop quickly. In many cases, individuals also attempt to secure livestock such as cattle and goats, placing themselves directly in danger.

Experts say this disconnect between warning and action is now the central issue in reducing lightning deaths, more than forecasting accuracy itself.

Safety guidance remains straightforward: seek immediate shelter upon hearing thunder, avoid open fields, tall isolated objects, water bodies and metal structures, and remain indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder.

Meteorologists also continue to promote the "30-30 rule," which advises people to seek shelter if thunder follows lightning within 30 seconds.

Despite repeated public awareness campaigns, lightning remains one of Bangladesh's deadliest natural hazards. Officials say 427 people died in 2020 and 401 in 2019, figures that have fueled calls for stronger community-based protection systems.

Disaster experts argue that infrastructure gaps are worsening the problem in high-risk regions such as wetlands and remote rural areas, where safe shelters are scarce and rapid response is difficult.

Proposals include building dedicated lightning protection shelters at regular intervals in vulnerable zones, alongside stronger coordination between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities.

Mallik emphasized that technology alone cannot reduce fatalities.

"Early warning is only the first step," he said. "Saving lives depends on whether people can act on that warning in time."

Lightning strikes have emerged as a major natural disaster in Bangladesh, with fatalities often exceeding 300 annually in recent years. According to data from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and non-governmental monitoring organizations, the death toll has remained high since 2019.

According to statistics of Department of Disaster Management, at least 3,485 lives were lost during this ten-year period of 2015-2024.

In 2020, fatalities peaked at 427, a significant increase in lightning-related casualties.

In 2024, 271 deaths were recorded by mid-2024, in the next year high severity continued, with 350 deaths reported for the year in 2025 while as of April 18 this year, 60 fatalities have already been recorded.