Lightning kills more than 50 people. Here's where
Digital Reporter
Saturday, May 14, 2016, 8:35 PM - Dozens of people have been struck and killed by lightning in Bangladesh, amid severe thunderstorms that followed a long heat wave.
Voice of America reports 33 were killed on Thursday and another 23 on Friday, with dozens more injured. Factoring in deaths from earlier storms, the total number of lightning fatalities is up to 90 this year -- far outpacing the 2015 toll of 51.
The BBC reports many of those killed were farmers who were working in the fields. At least two were killed at a soccer match in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka.
May is considered the pre-monsoon season in Bangladesh, and more storms are likely later this month.
High heat, coupled with humidity, are key ingredients in severe thunderstorms, which, aside from lightning, can also produce tornadoes. Bangladesh has seen several deadly tornadoes over the past couple of centuries, some with death tolls in the hundreds.
One meteorologist in Dhaka told Voice of America lightning frequency in the country has been on the rise since 1981, due to "climate variability and increase in temperature.
"The temperature in the country marked a significant rise this year, which is apparently the cause behind the increased incidents of lightning," M. Abdul Mannan told the news organization.
Other experts say deforestation has left fewer tall trees to attract lightning strikes.
SOURCES: Voice of America | BBC
