Student Dies After Lightning Strike In Netrokona

An 18-year-old student was killed by a lightning strike in Atpara upazila of Netrokona on Friday morning, in a tragic incident that occurred while he was collecting grass for the family’s cattle.

The deceased was identified as Al Mamun, son of Al Amin, of Malliknagar village in Luneswar union. According to police, the incident took place at around 8.45am as light rain was falling across the area.

Police said Mamun had recently sat for the Higher Secondary Certificate examination. With his examinations over, he had been staying at home and spending some of his free time helping his family with cattle-rearing activities.

On Friday morning, despite the drizzle, Mamun went to a field in front of his home to cut grass for the cattle. While he was working there, lightning suddenly struck the area at around 9am. He died at the scene, leaving his family and neighbours shocked.

Mohammad Idris, a sub-inspector at Atpara Police Station, said the circumstances of the incident were confirmed after police spoke to the deceased’s family.

Mohammad Zobaidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Atpara Police Station, confirmed the death and said an unnatural death case had been filed in connection with the incident.

The death has also highlighted the risks faced by people who remain outdoors during rain and thunderstorms. Lightning can occur suddenly, sometimes with little warning, making open fields and other exposed areas particularly dangerous during thunderstorms. Experts generally advise people to seek shelter inside a substantial building or enclosed vehicle when thunder is heard and to avoid open fields, isolated trees and exposed locations until the storm has passed.

Netrokona District Commissioner Khandaker Mushfiqur Rahman said the government would provide immediate financial assistance of Tk20,000 to the bereaved family to meet the costs of burial and related funeral arrangements.

The incident has cast a pall of grief over Malliknagar, where Mamun had been preparing to move forward after completing his higher secondary examinations. His sudden death has left his family facing both emotional loss and the difficult task of making funeral arrangements.