Nine people were killed in coastal regions in the south, and at least 20 died in six northwestern districts, including Chapainwabganj where eight farmers lost their lives.

"The farmers were harvesting rice in heavy rains when they were struck by lightning and killed," said sub-inspector Abdur Rashid of Chapainwabganj district, which is 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of the capital Dhaka.

Bangladesh, which has 64 districts, is regularly hit by tropical storms and lightning in April and May ahead of the monsoon season.

Dozens of people are killed by lightning strikes every year, with most dying while harvesting rice in attempts to save the crop from flooding.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011