Online Desk : At least 17 people have died after being hit by lightning strikes in six districts as southwest monsoon reaches Dhaka division.

The death toll on Sunday was highest in Chattogram. Besides six deaths from lightning strikes in parts of the region, Sitakunda experienced 100 millimetres of rains, which was also the highest in the country.

As many as five people died in Sirajganj, two in Tangail and Feni each, and one each in Rangpur and Munshiganj, according to the police, government officials and public representatives.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned of more thunderstorms with conditions favourable for further advancement of southwest monsoon after it reached up to Chattrogram, Barishal, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions and the eastern part of Dhaka division.

Meteorologist Abul Kalam Mollick said heavy rains may occur at many places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions on Monday.

Meanwhile, a mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the regions of Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Tarash and Dinajpur.

It may abate from some places as day temperature is likely to fall slightly over south-eastern part of the country and it may rise slightly elsewhere over the country, meteorologist Abdur Rahman Khan said.

Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

DEATHS

In Chattogram, two women died and two others were injured by a lightning strike when they were plucking chilli at a field, said Fatikchhari Police Station OC Md Robiul Islam.

The dead are Lucky Das and Bhanu Sheel. Two others, Maloti Rani and Shobha Rani, were undergoing treatment at a hospital for injuries from the lightning strike.

A class-10 student, Sazzad Hossain, died while planting crops in the field after a lightning strike hit him, said Ataur Rahman, a sub-inspector at Mirsarai Police Station. Sazzad’s father, Mosharraf Hossain, was also injured.

A farmer named Jahangir Hossain lost his life while working in a lemon orchard, said Md Mostafa, a sub-inspector at Boalkhali Police Station.

Abdul Jalil, a worker of Primer Shipyard, died after being struck at the yard’s gate, said Sitakunda Police Station OC Abul Kalam Azad.

Another person named Eskander Ali died when he went to take his cattle home during the storm, said Nuruddin Rashed, the health officer of Sitakunda Upazila.

In Sirajganj, farmers Abdullah, Alhaj Baburchi and Faridul Islam died while working in the field while Rafiqul Islam and Laily Begum were killed while bringing cattle and ducks home, said local administration officials and public representatives of Shahjadpur, Ullapara and Belkuchi.

A 14-year-old girl named Tamanna Akter and 6-year-old boy Al Amin died after being hit by a lightning strike while moving from one house to another in Feni’s Sonagazi, the police said.

In Tangail’s Nagarpur, two men – Almas Khan and Sona Mia – died at the yards of their homes.

A farmer named Aminur Islam died while working in the field in Tangpur’s Gangachhara.

The victim in Munshiganj’s Sirajdikhan was identified as a college student, Apurbo Barman, who was struck while playing football.