Experts are urging the public to adopt a life-saving guideline known as the '30–30 Rule' as lightning fatalities continue to rise across Bangladesh.
According to the voluntary organization Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF), 72 people have already lost their lives to lightning strikes this year, including a tragic incident on April 26 where 14 people were killed in a single day, source agency.
Dr. Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, a senior meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), emphasized that early warnings are insufficient without immediate public action.
“The key is not just hearing the warning, but knowing what to do,” Mallik stated. “The 30–30 rule is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay safe.”
The 30–30 rule involves two critical steps:
The first 30: After seeing lightning, start counting. If thunder is heard within 30 seconds, the storm is close enough to be a direct threat, and one must seek indoor shelter immediately.
The second 30: Once inside, individuals should wait at least 30 minutes after the final clap of thunder before heading back outdoors.
“The first 30 seconds tell you how close the danger is, and the next 30 minutes ensure the threat has passed,” Mallik explained.
Despite lightning being declared a national disaster in 2016, death tolls remain high, with 427 fatalities recorded in 2020 alone. Farmers in rural areas and open fields remain the most vulnerable group, often remaining outdoors too long to manage livestock or crops.
In response to the surge, the SSTF has issued three specific guidelines for farmers: taking immediate shelter upon seeing dark clouds, strictly avoiding trees for cover during rainfall, and ensuring they wear footwear while working in the fields.
Experts are also calling for the construction of specialized lightning-safe shelters in open regions like the northeastern haor wetlands and increased public education campaigns to turn these safety measures into habit.
“Lightning cannot be stopped, but deaths can be prevented,” Mallik added. “Awareness and immediate action are the only way forward.”
