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DHAKA, May 5, 2026 (BSS)  - As lightning strikes continue to kill dozens each year in Bangladesh, experts are urging people to follow a simple safety guideline known as the “30–30 rule,” saying it could significantly reduce fatalities.

So far this year, 72 people have died due to lightning strikes, most of them farmers working in open fields. Most recently, 14 people were killed by lightning in a single day on April 26, according to Voluntary organisation Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF).

Despite improved forecasting by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), deaths remain frequent. Authorities say early warnings alone are not enough unless people act immediately.

“The key is not just hearing the warning, but knowing what to do,” said Dr. Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, senior meteorologist at the BMD Storm Warning Center. “The 30–30 rule is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay safe from lightning.”

The rule works in two steps: when lightning is seen, people should begin counting seconds. If thunder is heard within 30 seconds, it means the storm is close enough to pose a direct threat, and they should immediately seek shelter indoors. Once inside, they should wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before going outside again.

“The first 30 seconds tell you how close the danger is, and the next 30 minutes ensure the threat has passed,” Mallik added. “If people follow this rule strictly, many lives can be saved.”

Many victims in the country are struck because they remain outdoors too long — often trying to collect livestock, continue farm work or simply underestimating the risk.

In rural areas, where large open fields dominate the landscape, farmers are especially vulnerable. In some cases, victims have been killed while standing under trees or walking across fields during storms — places that offer little or no protection from lightning.
Authorities are trying to promote a simple message alongside the rule: “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Hearing thunder means a person is already within striking distance, and delays can be fatal.
Bangladesh declared lightning a national disaster in 2016 after a surge in deaths. Official figures show hundreds die each year, with 427 fatalities recorded in 2020 alone — the highest annual toll.
Experts say wider awareness of the 30–30 rule, especially in rural communities, could help bring those numbers down.

They are also calling for practical measures, including the construction of lightning-safe shelters in open field areas such as the haor wetlands in northeastern districts, where people often cannot reach safe buildings in time.

Public education campaigns through radio, television and community outreach are seen as crucial to turning knowledge into habit.

“Lightning cannot be stopped, but deaths can be prevented,” Mallik said. “Awareness and immediate action are the only way forward.”

Meanwhile, Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF) has recently advised farmers to follow three key guidelines to reduce the risk of lightning-related deaths in the country.

The recommendations include taking immediate shelter in a safe place upon seeing dark clouds while working under open skies, avoiding taking shelter under trees during rainfall under any circumstances and wearing footwear while working in the fields.