Dhaka, Dec 24 – Some 4 million palm trees were planted across the country to minimise the impacts of lightning strikes and casualties as the government declared it as a natural disaster in 2015.State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman came up with the information at a roundtable meeting arranged by Brac at Spectra Convention Centre in the capital on Tuesday.
Enamur Rahman said there is no tested model in lighting management in Bangladesh unlike that of cyclone and flood.
To overcome the problem, he said, the government looks for structural and infrastructural solutions, and it gives the highest emphasis on research. “Because there’s a huge misconception at all levels of people about lightning strikes, and only scientific research can help remove that misperception.”
Enamur, however, said the palm tree plantation drive taken by the government is going on and it will continue to increase forest resources in the country and minimise casualties caused by thunderbolts.
He said the government will carry out a campaign at all levels to create public awareness about lightning strike as it causes huge casualties, not only in Bangladesh but also across the world.
Enamur said some 2,000 to 24,000 people are killed in the world every year in addition to some 50,000 who get injured in lighting strikes.
He said 81 people were killed in Bangladesh in just four days in 2016.
At least 246 people were killed and 97 others injured in lightning strikes from February to September this year.
According to official statistics, a total of 359 people were killed in thunderbolts in 2018.
In 2015, the government declared lightning as a natural disaster. – UNB
