Lightning strike kills twelve cows on Kottayam estate during heavy rain

Twelve cows died after being struck by lightning during heavy rain on the Cheruvally Estate in Erumeli, Kottayam, on Wednesday evening, October 21, 2026. District Veterinary Office officials confirmed the cause of death after conducting a necropsy on the carcasses. Workers on the estate found signs of a lightning strike on a nearby tree and the ground where the animals were located. An earthmover was used to bury the animals following the official examinations. Hundreds of cows are raised on the Cheruvally Estate, where cattle rearing is a primary source of income for the workers. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Kottayam district from October 23 to 25, 2026, warning of possible extremely heavy rain and thunderstorms at isolated locations.

Context

Cattle rearing often serves as a vital economic lifeline for estate workers in rural regions. Severe weather events like sudden thunderstorms pose recurring risks to livestock and agricultural livelihoods during heavy monsoon seasons.