Lightning strikes kill dozens in Bangladesh

More than 60 people have reportedly been killed by lightning in four days during tropical storms across Bangladesh, with many others injured.

Rickshaw pullers carry passengers during a downpour in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 13 May 2016. Source: AAP

Severe electrical storms in Bangladesh have killed more than 60 people in a few days, according to media reports.

While lightning strikes are relatively common in Bangladesh, such a high number of deaths in just a few days is considered to be unusual.

It is believed at least 34 people were killed in just one day last week, according to CNN.

"We are discussing with our meteorological experts on why the deaths are higher this year," Reaz Ahmed, director general of Bangladesh's Department of Disaster Management, told CNN.

"As we have recorded, the lightning frequency has been increasing gradually since 1981, due to climate variability and increase in temperature," Mr Ahmed told Voice of America.

The storms followed a heatwave that lasted almost a week.

A Rickshaw puller carries passengers in a water logged streets following a downpour at Shanti Nagar in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 13 May 2016 Source: AAP

Most of the deaths have happened in rural Bangladesh, where farmers are busy with the harvesting season. Two students in Dhaka were also killed, as was a teenager who was picking mangoes, according to the BBC.

Deforestation has been named as a major cause behind the increase in deaths, with many farmers working in wide open fields.

The Bangladesh government is offering compensation, around 20,000 takas ($348) to victims' families, and 10,000 takas ($174) for those wounded.

-With AAP