Jammu: In a tragic incident reported from Jammu and Kashmir, at least 61 sheep and goats of a Bakerwal family were killed after lightning struck a large herd of livestock in Bani area of Kathua district on Saturday evening.
The incident took place in Assu village of Bani where the family, originally hailing from Thaa village, was temporarily staying en route to upper reaches amid heavy rains in the region.
The lightining strike at around 6 PM on Saturday left 28 goats and 3 sheep of the affected owner Raqeeb Ahmad, son of Abdul Gani, dead as per officials. The second owner Gafoor Ahmad, son of Raqeeb Ahmad also lost 29 goats and one sheep in the natural disaster.
The affected family has appealed to the government and district administration to provide immediate financial assistance so that they can repair the damage.
Meanwhile, local social activist Thakur Lekh Raj Sundram also visited the affected family and provided relief material to them while donating a few goats as a token of solidarity.
Members of the Bakerwal community in Jammu and Kashmir have to endure challenging weather conditions during their seasonal migration from their home to the upper reaches to graze their sheep and goats during summer and back home in autumn.
