International Lightning Safety Awareness
Building safer communities through forecasting, accurate public information, early-warning communication and coordinated action.
Lightning is a frequent and dangerous weather phenomenon. Bangladesh experiences comparatively high lightning activity, and lightning strikes were officially declared a disaster in the country in 2016. International Lightning Safety Day, observed on 28 June, promotes stronger forecasting, public awareness and practical safety measures, particularly in high-risk communities.
Early-warning systems and awareness programmes have improved, but broader, coordinated action is still needed so that people receive alerts quickly, understand the danger and know how to respond.
Purpose of the programme
From technical discussion to practical community preparedness
Technical discussion
Bring specialists and stakeholders together to improve forecasting and preparedness.
Debunk dangerous myths
Replace misinformation with clear, accurate and actionable safety guidance.
Raise public awareness
Help communities recognize lightning risk and take immediate protective action.
Strengthen alert delivery
Improve the reach, clarity and speed of warnings and safety information.
Lightning safety essentials
When thunder roars, go indoors
Do not wait for rain to begin
If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to be dangerous. Move immediately to a substantial enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle.
Avoid open shelters, sheds, tents, isolated trees, water and exposed high ground.
Indoors, avoid plumbing, corded phones, electrical equipment, windows and doors.
Remain sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.
ARSB participation
Supporting awareness-building and emergency communication
Participating ARSB members
- S21HD Shamsul Huda
- S21IT Tahsin Rahman Abir
- S21AMR Arju Rahman
Radio service builds resilience
Amateur radio operators can support emergency communication, early-warning dissemination and community coordination when conventional networks are unavailable, overloaded or disrupted.
International Lightning Safety Awareness 2026
Read or download the event document from the ARSB website.
Programme gallery
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