Bangladesh:

At least 14 people, including a 10-year-old boy, have died in separate lightning strike incidents across Bangladesh amid severe weather conditions, according to officials and local reports.

Most of the victims were farmers and workers who were caught outdoors during sudden storms. Local media reported that the child died along with two others when lightning struck near his home.

Authorities said several others were injured in the incidents, with some reported to be in critical condition and undergoing treatment in hospitals.

The lightning strikes occurred during intense storms accompanied by heavy rainfall affecting multiple regions, including the capital city Dhaka.

Experts have linked the rising number of lightning-related deaths in Bangladesh to environmental factors such as deforestation. The loss of tall trees, which can help absorb lightning strikes, is believed to have increased vulnerability in rural and open areas.

Lightning-related fatalities are a recurring concern in the country, particularly during the pre-monsoon season from April to June, when high temperatures and humidity contribute to unstable weather patterns.

Bangladesh officially declared lightning strikes a natural disaster in 2016 after a series of deadly incidents, including one day in May that saw dozens of fatalities.