This is the first time that so many people have been killed by lightning strikes in such a short period of time in Bangladesh.

Lightning strikes have killed 59 people in Bangladesh in the past three days, officials said today, as storms hit the country ahead of the annual monsoon season.

According to the head of the National Disaster Management Authority, Reaz Ahmed, 34 people were killed by lightning strikes in different locations on May 13 and 25 more were killed in the next two days across the country. According to Ahmed, this is the first time that so many people have been killed by lightning in such a short period of time in Bangladesh. Most of the victims were farmers working in rice fields.

Illustration photo.

Lightning strikes are common in Bangladesh before or during the rainy season, which runs from June to September. An average of 200 people have been killed by lightning each year since 2011. Meteorologists say deforestation, especially the felling of tall trees, is to blame for the increase in lightning deaths.

Meanwhile, farmers are now carrying mobile phones more often and many continue to work in the fields instead of waiting for the rain and thunder to pass.

The Bangladesh government is planning a campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of thunderstorms. Meteorologists have also urged people to avoid working in open spaces such as farms, avoid using electronic devices such as mobile phones and not stand under metal poles or large trees during thunderstorms./.

According to VOV