PULWAMA — A powerful lightning strike late Monday night sent shockwaves through Katibugh locality in Kakapora area of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district, damaging window panes of three houses and plunging the area into fear and darkness.
The incident occurred at around 9:00 pm, accompanied by a deafening thunderclap that shattered window panes, damaged household items, and even caused a mobile charger to explode, locals said.
“We were having dinner when the lightning struck,” an elderly resident of the area said. “The sound was so loud that it felt like an explosion. One of our window panes shattered and shards fell on my daughter-in-law’s head. Thankfully, there was no injury but it was terrifying. The electricity went off immediately and even the inverter failed.”
Locals reported that fear gripped the neighbourhood as residents remained confined to their homes, unwilling to step outside. “It felt as if the sky had collapsed,” another local resident, Manzoor Ahmad, said.
Authorities, including local police and Revenue officials, visited the affected area late at night, helping to restore calm. “Our team immediately reached the spot to assess the situation and reassure the residents,” a police officer told The Kashmir Pulse. “Thankfully, there were no injuries but the psychological impact on the residents was significant.”
“The night was unforgettable,” Mehraj Ahmad, another resident, said while shaking his head. “It’s not just the broken glass and lost electricity. It’s the feeling of helplessness that lingers.”
The locals have requested the district administration to evaluate the damage and provide necessary assistance to the affected families.
