Lightning strikes increasing along the coast: Maximum vigilance required to save lives during Boro rice harvesting season

​The Boro paddy harvesting festival is currently underway in the coastal upazilas including Paikgachha in Khulna district, known as the granary of the southern region. However, the atmosphere of this festival is turning into sadness due to the 'fire flashes' or lightning in the sky. In recent years, the incidence of lightning in this region has increased alarmingly due to climate change, the main victims of which are farmers working in open fields.   There are no large trees or tall structures in the area adjacent to the vast crop fields and saltwater enclosures of Paikgachha. As a result, farmers...

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​The Boro paddy harvesting festival is currently underway in the coastal upazilas including Paikgachha in Khulna district, known as the granary of the southern region. However, the atmosphere of this festival is turning into sadness due to the ‘fire flashes’ or lightning in the sky. In recent years, the incidence of lightning in this region has increased alarmingly due to climate change, the main victims of which are farmers working in open fields.

There are no large trees or tall structures in the area adjacent to the vast crop fields and saltwater enclosures of Paikgachha. As a result, farmers who are in open fields become direct targets during lightning strikes. According to weather experts, the collision of warm and humid air from the Bay of Bengal with cold air from the north increases cloud friction in this coastal region, resulting in both the intensity and number of lightning strikes.

​Usually, in the months of Chaitra-Baishakh, there is a possibility of rain with Kalbaisakhi and thunder in the Khulna region from noon onwards. At this time, farmers are busy harvesting and drying paddy. According to many farmers of Paikgachha, when the clouds suddenly gather, the thunder starts before they can go to a safe shelter. Since there are no solid buildings or tall trees nearby, they are at extreme risk of their lives.

Some special advice for people in coastal areas to avoid lightning: If there are thick dark clouds in the sky or lightning starts flashing, quickly take shelter under a brick building or tin roof. During a lightning strike, you should quickly move away from fish pens, rivers, or open rice fields. Standing under large trees or electricity poles is the most risky. Do not use anything with metal handles like umbrellas or sickles during this time. Wearing rubber shoes or rubber boots while working can provide some protection. Avoid using mobile phones during a lightning strike.

Lightning has now been declared a national disaster. In addition to planting palm trees through government initiatives, it is now the need of the hour to build adequate shelters at the local level. Environmentalists have called on the administration to conduct a massive awareness campaign at the field level to protect the lives of farmers in the southern region, including Paikgachha.

Paikgachha Upazila Agriculture Officer, Agronomist Md. Ekramul Hossain said, Boro paddy harvesting has started in this coastal upazila. And within 5-7 days, paddy harvesting will start in full swing in the field. Boro yield has been good this season. He advised farmers to harvest paddy in the field taking weather conditions and precautions.