Raipur/Bijapur, May 17 (IANS) Severe weather conditions across Chhattisgarh have resulted in the deaths of 21 heads of cattle in two separate lightning strike incidents, officials said on Sunday.

The sudden atmospheric shift, characterised by heavy thunderstorms and torrential rain, has caused significant economic distress to local livestock farmers and peasants in the affected regions.

The first incident occurred on Saturday night in Pondum village, situated within the Bhairamgarh development block of the Bijapur district. The village cattle were out grazing in the open fields and agricultural spaces when a sudden spell of extreme weather gripped the area. Accompanied by deafening rolls of thunder, a powerful bolt of lightning struck the open ground. Caught directly in its path, ten heads of cattle died instantly on the spot. The scale of the loss sent shockwaves through the rural community, as livestock represents a primary source of savings and food security for the local marginal farmers.

Simultaneously, a similar tragedy occurred in the remote, hilly terrain of Rajmergarh village, located in the Gorela region of the Gorela Pendra Marwahi district. On Saturday evening, the local weather patterns took an abrupt turn, bringing dense clouds, heavy downpours, and intense electrical activity, officials said.

At that time, a herd of cattle was returning home from their daily grazing routine in the nearby forest. Amidst a violent thunderstorm, lightning struck the returning herd. Eleven heads of cattle perished instantly due to the high-voltage impact. All eleven deceased animals belonged to a local resident named Nathuram Yadav. For Yadav and his family, who depend entirely on livestock rearing for their daily sustenance and livelihood, the sudden loss of their herd has triggered an immediate financial crisis.

Upon hearing the news, a large number of anxious villagers rushed to both sites to assist the distressed families. Local administrative and Revenue Department officials were promptly notified of the twin disasters. Administrative teams have arrived at the spots to conduct field inspections and initiate the formal documentation and panchnama proceedings. Officials have assured the affected families that government compensation cases are being processed swiftly, while the villagers have appealed to the administration for immediate financial relief to survive the crisis.

On Saturday, a sudden shift in weather brought heavy rain, thunder, and strong winds across several districts of Chhattisgarh, including Raipur, offering relief from the intense heat. However, the storm uprooted trees, damaged vehicles, and disrupted traffic, requiring clean-up operations that lasted until Sunday morning.

The Meteorological Department forecasts continued rain and cloud cover until Monday, after which skies will clear in most regions except the Bastar division. Temperatures are expected to rise rapidly thereafter, potentially triggering heatwaves by late May. Meanwhile, active weather systems in the Bay of Bengal and favourable conditions in the Andaman and Nicobar region indicate positive early signs for the advancement of the Southwest Monsoon.

–IANS

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