Lightning Strike Kills Nearly 90 Sheep, Goats in Kangan Meadows

Ganderbal, May 11: Nearly 90 sheep and goats were killed after a massive lightning strike hit a nomadic flock in the upper reaches of the Kangan area in Central Kashmir amid inclement weather, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred during the intervening night in the Dhana Dok area of Poshkar, a high-altitude meadow where nomadic families camp during summer months for seasonal grazing.

Sources said the livestock belonged to Mohammad Yaseen Bijran and Abdul Majeed Bijran, residents of Sunderbani in Rajouri district, who had recently migrated to the meadow with their flock.

Locals said the area witnessed heavy thunderstorms accompanied by intense lightning activity overnight. When the family visited the grazing site on Monday morning, dozens of animals were found dead across the pasture.

The incident has dealt a major economic blow to the affected family, which relies heavily on livestock for livelihood during the annual migration season.

Officials from the local administration and police were informed and later visited the site to assess losses and gather details.

The upper reaches of Kashmir often witness sudden weather changes during summer, posing risks to nomadic communities and their livestock in remote alpine meadows. (Agencies)