Aqzar Raheel

Ganderbal, May 11(Knz): In a tragic incident amid inclement weather conditions in Central Kashmir, nearly 90 sheep and goats were killed after a lightning strike struck a nomadic flock in the upper reaches of Kangan in Ganderbal district, 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 from the Jammu region camp during the summer months for seasonal grazing.

Officials said the dead livestock belonged to Mohammad Yaseen Bijran and Abdul Majeed Bijran, residents of Sunderbani area of Rajouri district, who had recently migrated to the area along with their flock.

Locals said the area witnessed heavy thunderstorms accompanied by intense lightning overnight. When the nomadic family reached the grazing site on Monday morning, dozens of sheep and goats were found dead in the pasture.

The incident has caused a major economic setback to the affected family, which largely depends on livestock for livelihood during the annual migration season.

Soon after the incident, officials from the local administration and police visited the spot to assess the losses and gather details, officials added.

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