A sudden thunder and lightning strike in Kowie, a community in the Sissala East Municipality, has resulted in the tragic death of 21 cows following a rainfall in the area.
The incident occurred at approximately 0020hrs when the kraal of cattle gathered under a tree in the community.
Upon arriving at the scene after the incident, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) discovered the cows lying dead and uniquely arranged around the tree, with only two of them miraculously surviving the thunderstorm.
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Mr Thomas Tipuri, a community member, revealed that 16 of the cattle belonged to a herdsman who had settled in the community, while five belonged to him.
In the aftermath of the calamity, some traditional priests were immediately called in to perform rituals before the carcasses were taken away. The families of the cattle owners were deeply saddened and pained by the unexpected loss.
Mr Yakubu Abu, another community member, expressed shock at the tragic event, stating that such an occurrence had never happened in the community before. He further speculated that while lightning typically strikes tall objects such as trees or poles, it was possible that the lightning struck a nearby object and then traveled through the ground, affecting the cows gathered under the tree.
In light of this unfortunate incident, Madam Francesca Martey of the Ghana Meteorological Authority advised caution during thunderstorms. Seeking shelter under trees or other tall objects is not recommended, and individuals caught outside during a storm should aim to find shelter in a low-lying area, if possible.
As the Kowie community mourns the loss of their cattle, this tragic incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by lightning strikes during thunderstorms. Local authorities and meteorological agencies continue to urge vigilance and adherence to safety precautions to mitigate such incidents in the future.
