Sylhet: Panic has gripped the people living in haor areas of Sylhet as they face more lightning strikes these days compared to the recent past.

At least 14 people were killed in lightning strikes in Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj and Sylhet districts in three days from 16-18 April, according to reports compiled by UNB’s Sylhet correspondent.

Among them, three farmers–Abdul Alim, Oli Ahmed and Jewel Mian–hailing from different upazilas in Habiganj died as thunderbolts struck them while they were harvesting paddy in the haor area.

Meteorological experts say April-May, known as ‘primary summer’, is one of the two major lighting-prone periods of the year while the less-populated haor areas are prone to lighting strikes for lack of charge transferable mediums like trees, houses and other establishments amid the vast flooded region.

Talking to UNB, Anwarul Islam, an assistant professor of Geography and Environment Department at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), said the intensity of lighting strikes during summer is increasing due to the growing environmental imbalance and climate change.

He noted as the haor landscapes have the scarcity of charge transferable objects under the sky, people of these areas are prone to lightning strikes.

Anwar suggested that people should not get panicked but keep in mind the appropriate steps one needs to take during lightning strikes. ‘One needs to check the weather forecast before participating in outdoor activities,’ he advised.