At least 14 reported dead as severe thunderstorms hit Bangladesh
Severe thunderstorms affected Bangladesh on April 26, 2026, with at least 14 people reported dead in lightning-related incidents across seven districts. At least 12 people were injured, while the Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecast further thunderstorms, lightning, squally winds, and heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of the country through April 28.
Image credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 10:40 UTC on April 26, 2026
At least 14 people were reported dead after lightning strikes hit several parts of Bangladesh during seasonal thunderstorms on April 26. The fatalities were reported across Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Thakurgaon, Jamalpur, Bogura, Natore, and Panchagarh districts.
Local media reported five fatalities in Gaibandha, two each in Sirajganj, Thakurgaon, and Jamalpur, and one each in Bogura, Natore, and Panchagarh. At least 12 people were injured, most of them in Gaibandha district. Local officials said most of the victims were farmers working in open fields and laborers in exposed areas.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Storm Warning Center issued a Kalboishakhi Warning Message on April 26 for rain/thundershowers with temporary west or northwesterly Kalboishakhi storms and squalls of 60–80 km/h (37–50 mph) or more over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, and Sylhet divisions. The warning covered the 48 hours from 12:00 LT (06:00 UTC) and included lightning and isolated hail.
BMD’s 120-hour forecast issued April 24 placed light to moderate rain/thundershowers with temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning flashes over several divisions during April 26–28, with moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall at places. The forecast covered April 26 under Day 3, April 27 under Day 4, and April 28 under Day 5.
The timing is consistent with Bangladesh’s pre-monsoon lightning season, from April to June.
References:
1 Kalboishakhi Warning Message – BMD – April 26, 2026
2 Lightning strikes kill 14 as Bangladesh lashed by seasonal storms – Reuters – April 27, 2026
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