The government has taken initiative to build lightning-proof concrete sheds (shelters) with lightning arresters in a bid to reduce the number of deaths due to lightning.
The project has already been undertaken for the construction of the lightning-proof concrete sheds in 23 lightning-prone districts, including haor or wetland areas in the country, said Dr Md Enamur Rahman, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled, ‘Causes of Lightning & Thunder: Safety Issues and Damage Minimization,’ at IEB Bhaban in the capital on Thursday (November 18).
Engineer Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), presided over the function.
Engineer Md Abdus Sabur, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, Engineer Yasir Arafat, Associate Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), and Engineer Ahsan Bin Basar, Vice Chairman of Department of Mechanical Engineering of IEB, also spoke on the occasion, among others.
The minister said that initially 1000 lightning-proof concrete sheds will be set up in one km in a row in the haor areas. One shelter will be constructed at one-kilometer intervals, so that people, particularly the farmers who are working on the field, can take shelter in the shelters as soon as they hear the thunder of the clouds.
He also said that after the project is implemented, the number of deaths due to lightning will be reduced, adding that “It is not possible to prevent the lightning. However, we are giving priority to three issues in order to reduce the death rates. One of them is the early warning system. The device will signal 40 minutes before the lightning. Second, the construction of lightning-resistant concrete shelters and, third, raising public awareness.”
The minister also said that the machine for the Early Warning System would be installed in lightning-prone areas. Initially, there are plans to install 723 devices. The device will signal 40 minutes before the lightning strike. As a result, people will be able to take shelter in safe places.
“We hope that this will reduce the death rates in lightning disasters. We are not taking this initiative for the city. Those who work in the open field or fishing are the worst victims of when lightning strikes. So, this initiative is being taken for them,” he said.