Special research report published by JAGO NARI to reduce lightning risk in Barguna
A special research report was published by JAGO NARI to reduce lightning risk in Barguna. There has been a strong demand for the establishment of ‘lightning protection and farmer shelters’ in schools and crop fields.
To address the ever-increasing risk of lightning strikes on the coast and to increase the capacity of the local community, the non-governmental development organization JAGO NARI has published a special research report. This study titled ”Participatory Community Needs Assessment on Lightning Risk Reduction and Community Resilience” was conducted at the field level in Gourichanna and Fuljhuri unions of Barguna Sadar Upazila.
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, a summary of this report was officially presented to the media from the head office of Jagonari.
The study found that lightning has now emerged as one of the major and most devastating disasters in coastal areas, along with cyclones and floods. According to the government’s estimates (DDM), 3,485 people died in lightning strikes in Bangladesh between 2015 and 2024, with an annual average of about 348. The vast majority of these deaths are in rural areas and are mainly farmers, fishermen and students working in open fields.
Recently, several farmers lost their lives and several students were injured inside classrooms in multiple lightning incidents near Taltali, Amtali, Burirchar and Fuljhuri schools and colleges in Barguna - making the current reality of the region even more risky.
The study identified three main reasons behind the increase in lightning damage. These are, Open (long-term work in open fields): Farmers working in the fields and school-going children do not have any safe shelter during lightning strikes. Infrastructure Deficiencies: There are no lightning arresters in educational institutions and there are no safe shelters in vast crop fields. Lack of institutional awareness: Although cyclones or floods are given priority in local disaster management, there are no specific preparations, promotional activities or safety protocols to deal with lightning.
This Policy and Needs Assessment of JAGO NARI has identified two specific and effective solutions based on the opinions of local public representatives, teachers, School Management Committee (SMC), guardians and farmers. The recommendations say, Installation of lightning arresters in educational institutions: This technology needs to be used immediately in every school to ensure the safety of children’s lives. The recommendations also say, Construction of ‘farmer shelters’ in crop fields: So that farmers working in the fields can quickly find safe shelter during storms and rains, it is necessary to build small shelters in open fields. The survey has shown that the local community and the union council have expressed their full commitment to provide their labor and overall cooperation for the maintenance and long-term care of these infrastructures.
The survey highlights the strategic recommendations of JAGO NARI. The report makes 10 specific recommendations to the government’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, NGOs, and local administrations. Notable among these are - rapid implementation of projects in high-risk educational institutions and crop fields, rapid dissemination of the Meteorological Department’s forecasts to the rural population in simple language, creation of a youth volunteer network, and dissemination of this model as a ‘demonstration model’ throughout coastal Bangladesh. The report strongly demands that there is no alternative to public-private joint initiatives to protect the lives of coastal people and prevent this new threat of climate change.
//JN NewsRoom/09062026//
Published on: Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 03:26 pm ▪ Last update: Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 03:48 pm ▪ Total View of this Page: 81
