Lightning safety, Sunamganj
Sitting with the people who work in fields, haors and boats on what to do and not do in a lightning storm, on market day, before the harvest.
- 0/4 people
- About 4 hours
- 10
- points
About this task
In Sunamganj’s haors, farmers die from lightning in the open fields almost every boro harvest. On market day or before the harvest, sitting with farmers, fishermen and labourers on five rules: at thunder, leave open fields and boats for a solid building; not under trees; caught outside, crouch low on the toes with hands over ears; away from towers and poles. And pointing out the nearest shelters.
Why it matters
Lightning kills many people in Bangladesh every year, most at work in fields or on boats; the government declared it a natural disaster in 2016. Most of these deaths are prevented by taking shelter in time.
What changes after
At least 150 people know the five rules; posters at the market and school; the shelters on the way to the fields known.
Who can join
Anyone; young people working in farming or disaster response are especially useful.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 4 hours across all steps
- 1
Market day and the spot
Where farmers, fishermen and labourers gather; tell the union council.
60 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Five rules
At thunder leave open fields; not under trees; from boats to shore; shelter in a solid building; caught outside, crouch with hands over ears.
120 minপোস্টার, লিফলেট
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Point out the shelters
The nearest solid buildings, schools and shelters on the way to the fields.
60 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Posters · ১০টি
- Leaflets · ৩০০টি
When it counts as done
- Leaflets in at least 150 hands
- Posters up at the market and the school
Proof required
- Photo
Safety
No outdoor gathering under clouds. Keep the five rules yourselves.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳2,300–5,100
- People
- 4
- Time in all
- 4 hours
- Age
- 14 or older
Best timeDo it in February or March, before the nor'westers and the boro harvest (April to May). At the morning market, under a clear sky.
PermissionThe market committee's permission; tell the union council. The head teacher's permission for school posters.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Colour posters (A3, five rules with pictures)10Where: Press or print shop | 10 | ৳80–200 |
| Leaflets (A5)300Where: Press or photocopy shop | 300 | ৳2–4 |
| Hand mike hire1 dayWhere: Mike hire shop | 1 day | ৳300–700 |
| Banner1Where: Flex printing shop | 1 | ৳400–800 |
| Water and teaFor 4Where: Market stall | For 4 | ৳50–100 |
| Total (about) | ৳2,300–5,100 | |
Getting ready, step by step
2 weeks before
- Find which market, on which day, draws the most farmers, fishermen and labourers.
- Get the market committee's permission; write to the union council.
10 days before
- List the solid buildings, schools and shelters on the way to the fields; note any with lightning rods.
- Put the five rules and local shelters on the poster and leaflet; send to print.
The day before
- Check the forecast; if storms are likely, move the date.
- The four rehearse the five rules aloud and show each other the crouch.
Market day
- Talk in small groups, show the crouch position.
- Put posters up at the market and school; count leaflets handed out.
The week after
- Send a picture of the five rules to mosque, school and farmer WhatsApp groups.
- Check the posters are still up.
Who does what
Lead and speaker1
Liaises with the market committee and union; gives the five rules on the mike.
Small-group talkers2
Sit with people at stalls and the boat landing, explain, show the crouch.
Posters and count1
Puts up posters, counts leaflets, takes photos.
Whom to speak to first
Union council
- Why
- The disaster management committee sits under it, and knows the shelters.
- How
- Write to the secretary; ask that the union disaster management committee hear of it.
Market committee
- Why
- They control space at the market and people trust them.
- How
- Meet the president the week before market day.
Upazila agriculture office and sub-assistant agriculture officers
- Why
- They meet farmers regularly; the message spreads there.
- How
- Give them leaflets and ask for two minutes at their meetings.
The day, hour by hour
- 07:30Look at the sky; with cloud or thunder, no outdoor event today.
- 08:00Banner and table at the market; tell the committee.
- 08:30Five rules on the mike, then once an hour.
- 09:00Small-group talks at stalls and the boat landing; show the crouch.
- 11:00Posters up at the market; point out the nearest shelters.
- 12:00Posters at the school, five minutes with students.
- 13:00Count leaflets, pick photos, upload to the task page.
How to take the proof
- A photo of a talk at the market with the banner and crowd.
- Posters at the market and school, with the place recognisable.
- The tally of leaflets handed out.
Common first-time mistakes
- Holding it in an open field on a cloudy day.
- Long speeches; market-goers have little time, five rules and one position are enough.
- Giving rules without showing where to shelter.
- Leaving out women labourers and fishers; they are in fields and boats too.
What can go wrong, and what to do
Thunder starts in the middle of the event.
Stop at once and send everyone into solid buildings; stay inside at least 30 minutes after the last thunder.
Someone is struck by lightning.
The person is safe to touch; call 999 at once, a trained person gives CPR if not breathing, then hospital.
Wrong beliefs: trees are safe, or mobile phones attract lightning.
Gently give the right answer: not under trees; the safe place is a solid building or closed vehicle.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
Market day notice (WhatsApp/Facebook)
Five rules against lightning, at [market name], [day and date], from 8 am. 1. At thunder, leave open fields. 2. Not under trees. 3. Get from boats to shore. 4. Shelter in a solid building. 5. Caught outside, crouch on your toes with hands over ears. Disaster warnings: 1090. If someone is hurt: 999. To volunteer, send a request on the task page on Desher Kaj. No money needed.
Letter to the union council
To The Chairman, [union name] Union Parishad, [upazila] Subject: Notice of a lightning safety awareness activity and request for support. Sir/Madam, We are [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform. Before the harvest, on [date] at [market name], we will talk with farmers, fishermen and labourers on what to do in lightning, hand out leaflets, and put posters up at the market and [school name]. If we receive the union's list of shelters and solid buildings, we will add it to the leaflet. We request that the union disaster management committee be informed. Yours sincerely, [name], lead, [team name] Date: [date]
After it is done
- Ask the market committee to announce the five rules once each market day in the harvest season.
- Replace posters ruined by rain; repeat next February.
- Ask teachers to go over the five rules in class once a year.
Questions people ask
Where do we get warnings?
The Meteorological Department’s forecast, and 1090 from any phone for disaster warnings.
If someone is struck?
It is safe to touch the person; call 999 at once and get to the nearest hospital.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.