Met office issues lightning alert in 21 districts

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a lightning alert for 21 districts, warning of gusty or squally winds accompanied by lightning flashes.

According to a Met office bulletin, rain or thundershowers accompanied by lightning flashes and temporary west/northwesterly gusty or squally wind at 45-60 kmph or more is likely to occur in Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail, Manikganj, Dhaka, Narsingdi, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Sherpur, Netrokona, Mymensingh, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Sylhet, Rangamati, and Bandarban during the next 01–04 hours commencing from 8:30am today.

The Met office also issued a set of directives to stay safe from lightning:

Stay indoors during lightning; keep windows and doors closed; avoid travel if possible; take safe shelter; do not take shelter under trees; do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls; unplug electrical/electronic devices; immediately get out of water bodies; stay away from objects that conduct electricity; do not go outside when hail starts.