Violent thunderstorm kills 8 people as heatwave grips parts of Bangladesh

At least eight people lost their lives after a severe thunderstorm lashed much of Bangladesh on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Gale-force winds damaged houses and crops, uprooted trees and left many others injured. The severe weather came as some parts of the country are being gripped by a heatwave, with Rangamati recording the highest daily maximum of 38.5 °C (101.3 °F).

At least 13 districts were affected by the thunderstorm, also called nor'wester, in the northern, central, and western parts of the country. 

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the affected areas included Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogura, Tangail, Mymensingh, Meherpur, Kushtia, Rajbari, Faridpur, and Jessore. 

Hailstorms were also reported in Dhaka, where wind speed reached up to 64 km/h (40 mph).

"There were reports of hailstorms and Dhaka experienced it only for few moments around 12:30 UTC (18:30 pm)," reported meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque,

According to local media, eight people died in separate incidents in Fulchhari, Palashbari, and Sundarganj Upazilas– three of which were women. Some of the victims were identified as Shimuli Begum, aged  25; Abdul Gaffar, 42; Hafiz Uddin, 44; Jahanara Begum, 50, and Moyna Begum 60.

"A violent wind rose all of a sudden uprooting trees damaging houses, crops and claiming lives of people," said Gaibandha`s deputy commissioner Abdul Matin

Several people were also injured, including a four-year-old and a 35-year-old who were hit by a brick.

While some parts of the country were hit by nor'wester and a mild cold wave, Rangamati registered the country's highest daily maximum temperature of 38.5 °C (101.3 °F).

The BMD forecasts the heatwave to continue through Monday, April 5, while one or two areas in all eight divisions may experience rain and thundershowers.

Featured image credit: Flickr