Woman dies after lightning strike in Kozhikode during heavy rain

Kozhikode: A woman was killed after being struck by lightning amid heavy rain and thunderstorms in Kozhikode on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as 43-year-old Suneera, a resident of Pullaloor near Narikkuni.

According to police reports, the incident occurred around 4 pm while Suneera was standing in the yard of her house. She was struck by lightning during a sudden thunderstorm that hit the region.

The Kakkur police have registered a case of unnatural death. Her body has been shifted to the mortuary of the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Kozhikode and nearby areas experienced intense rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning on Saturday evening, marking one of the strongest weather episodes of the week.

The fatal lightning strike occurred as a result of widespread thunderstorms affecting northern Kerala, including parts of Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Local authorities have issued warnings urging residents to stay indoors during severe weather conditions.

Police said Suneera had stepped outside her home when the lightning struck, leading to her immediate death. Family members and neighbours rushed her to hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.

Officials from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said the region has recorded a rise in lightning incidents in recent weeks due to the monsoon’s transitional phase. They have advised the public to follow safety guidelines during thunderstorms, including avoiding open spaces and metal objects.

The weather department forecast more scattered rain and thunderstorms across northern Kerala over the next few days.