MITHI: Eight people died and a large number of cattle heads perished when they were hit by lightning in moderate to heavy rains which pounded several parts of the desert district on Monday.

According to the breakup, a massive bolt of lightning killed six villagers in Akraro Bheel village near Islamkot town. They were identified as Ramesh Bheel, 20; Ranjeet Bheel, 40; Sukha,14; Vikram, 18; Bhimro, 40, and his daughter Anita, 17. About seven cows also perished in the incident.

One Shafi Mohammad Manganhar in Chelhar town and a young girl in Khamiso village near Chhachhro town also fell victim to the lightning. There were also reports of deaths of a large number of cattle heads in lighting strikes in several areas across the desert district.

The unusually large number of lightning incidents has created such a widespread fear in Tharparkar that people prefer to stay indoors during the downpour and do not date venture out to enjoy rain, which they wait anxiously throughout the year.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2024