Agartala: In a tragic incident, a four-year-old female wild elephant calf died after it was struck by lightning in Tripura’s Khowai district on Friday (May 30).
People living in the Baramura hill range informed the Forest department about the death of the elephant calf, forest officials said.
Following the information, forest officials rushed to the spot and the elephant’s body was found in a charred state.
A group of four veterinarians from the Teliamura Animal Hospital, headed by Dr Viswabharati Debbarma, visited the spot and conducted a post-mortem of the elephant.
The veterinary team conducted a post-mortem examination of the carcass.
By afternoon, the team confirmed that the elephant had died due to a lightning strike.
The Forest Department has expressed concern over the recurring deaths of elephants in the region and is expected to review its monitoring and safety protocols for wild animals, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Over the past three days, intense lightning and thunderstorms lashed the region, leading to widespread flooding and damage.
In a separate incident, floodwaters claimed the life of Tanmoy Debnath, a 16-year-old from Mandalpara in Jirania under West Tripura district.
As per reports, heavy rainfall damaged over 106 houses in the region. Four relief camps have been set up in West Tripura and Khowai districts, providing shelter to 207 people from 67 affected families.
The meteorological centre in Tripura issued a red alert on May 29 for West Tripura and Khowai districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Saha reviewed the state’s disaster management preparedness and assessed flood control measures currently in place.
