Kottayam (Keralam), Oct 22 Lightning strikes killed 12 cattle at Cheruvally Estate in Erumeli here, Animal Husbandry Department officials said on Thursday.
The cattle, left to graze freely by farmers at the estate, were found dead by rubber-tapping workers on Thursday morning, officials said.
The dead animals, mostly cows, belonged to four farmers, with one farmer losing eight cattle, they said.
Necropsy examinations confirmed that the animals died due to lightning strikes, officials said, adding that the carcasses were buried after the examinations.
As all the cattle were insured, the District Veterinary Office will submit a report to facilitate compensation for the affected farmers, officials added.
Keralam is witnessing heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, with the Indian Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert in several districts till October 25.
An orange alert indicates the likelihood of very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm.
(PTI News)
