Labonnya Liza – After a grueling week of intense heat, much-needed rains and Kalbaishakhi storms swept across Bangladesh, including the capital, on Sunday afternoon.
While the rainfall brought down temperatures and provided relief to city dwellers and laborers, it turned tragic in rural areas, where lightning strikes claimed 14 lives across seven districts.
The victims were predominantly farmers and laborers working in open fields. Gaibandha reported the highest toll with five deaths, followed by two each in Thakurgaon, Sirajganj, and Jamalpur.
Single fatalities were also reported in Panchagarh, Natore, and Bogra. In Jamalpur, four others were injured, and several cattle were killed in the strikes.
In Dhaka, the sky turned dark late Sunday afternoon, followed by gusty winds and heavy downpours. The Meteorological Department recorded 32 mm of rainfall in the capital within a few hours.
While the rain caused temporary waterlogging and disrupted the commute for office-goers, it significantly eased the sweltering heat that had paralyzed public life for over a week.
Meteorologist Kazi Jebunnessa stated that while this rain provides a temporary break, it does not mark the complete end of the heatwave. Scattered rain is expected to continue in various parts of the country over the next few days.
Casualty Summary (April 26, 2026)
| District | Deaths | Key Details |
| Gaibandha | 5 | Victims include children and farmers in fields. |
| Thakurgaon | 2 | Occurred in Peerganj during afternoon rain. |
| Sirajganj | 2 | Farmers were gathering harvested paddy. |
| Jamalpur | 2 | 4 others injured; 5 cattle killed. |
| Panchagarh | 1 | A tea garden worker in Atwari. |
| Natore | 1 | A paddy harvester in Singra. |
| Bogra | 1 | A farmer in Gabtoli. |
Weather Statistics
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Dhaka Rainfall: 32 mm.
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Sunday’s Max Temp: 37°C (Rangamati).
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Sunday’s Min Temp: 20°C (Dinajpur & Sreemangal).