The government will construct shelters in haor regions and northern districts next year to prevent deaths from lightning strikes across the country, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced on Monday.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting between his ministry and deputy commissioners on the second day of the DC Conference, the minister said lightning strikes have become a major concern.
“It has taken a terrifying shape. It is happening this year as well. We will build shelters next year so that farmers, especially those who are in the fields during harvesting season, can take cover,” he said.
The relief minister said he has asked deputy commissioners to conduct assessments in haor and northern regions where lightning strikes occur extensively.
“We will build shelters there and install towers to prevent lightning strikes. Farmers will be able to take shelter at that time, and we will alert all farmers using sirens,” he added.
Lightning strikes kill hundreds of people every year in Bangladesh, with farmers working in open fields during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons being the most vulnerable. The haor region, where vast expanses of paddy fields lack shelter, has historically recorded high numbers of lightning casualties.
