Over 40 sheep and goats were killed in a lightning strike in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Ganderbal district on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the Hariganwan area, where the animals were being grazed by a nomadic herder from the Bakarwal community.
The shepherd, identified as Abdul Wahid Khatana from Sunderbani in Rajouri district, was tending his flock in the Chechi Pati area of Hariganwan when a sudden thunderstorm brought lightning, resulting in the loss of livestock.
This comes amid a period of unstable weather across the Kashmir Valley, marked by gusty winds and frequent storms. High-speed winds have caused damage to both public and private property over the past three days.
The recent spike in daytime temperatures &mdash; peaking at 32.6 degrees Celsius &mdash; has led to the formation of low-pressure zones, drawing in strong winds to balance atmospheric conditions.
Additionally, hailstorms have severely affected agricultural output, with significant damage reported to apple orchards in the southern districts of Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag. Paddy nurseries have also suffered due to the hail, threatening the upcoming rice crop season.
The paddy cultivation cycle, spanning from early May to mid-October, relies on timely sowing and transplantation. Delays or disruptions can lead to poor yields, impacting food security in the Valley where rice is a staple diet.
The shrinking of cultivable land due to rapid urban development has also reduced the area available for paddy farming. This has increased dependence on government ration supplies, which offer rice at subsidized rates based on household income categories.

Over 40 Goats and Sheep perish in Lightning Strike

Sudden thunderstorm hits nomadic herder’s flock amid widespread weather damage across the Kashmir Valley

Lightning Strike Kills Over 40 Sheep and Goats in J&K’s Ganderbal

Sudden thunderstorm hits nomadic herder’s flock amid widespread weather damage across the Kashmir Valley

May 20, 2025 | 11:26 IST