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Chamoli: A tragic incident struck the Gauna-Bhanali Tok area of Nijmula Valley late Sunday night when lightning killed nearly 500 goats belonging to more than a dozen shepherds. The accident has left families devastated, with losses worth lakhs of rupees.

चमोली जनपद के निजमूला घाटी के भनाली तोक में आकाशीय बिजली गिरने से कल देर रात एक दर्जन से अधिक भेड़पालकों की 500 से अधिक बकरियों की मौत हो गई है। pic.twitter.com/4TN6N5wtJ6

— Kumaon Jagran (@KumaonJagran) May 4, 2026

Shepherds including Rakesh Singh, Hukam Singh, and Madan Lal reported that their years of hard work were destroyed in a single moment. For many families in Nijmula Valley, goat rearing is the primary source of livelihood. The sudden tragedy has created an atmosphere of despair, with herders struggling to figure out how to support their families.

Demand for compensation

The affected shepherds have demanded that the district administration immediately assess the damage and provide compensation. They argue that without financial help, it will be impossible to recover from such a massive loss.

Official confirmation

District Disaster Management Officer Nand Kishore Joshi confirmed that reports of the death of 500 goats were received late at night. He said the incident occurred during poor weather conditions, with light rain continuing in the area.

Weather alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Chamoli district for May 3, 4, and 5, 2026. The forecast includes hailstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds. Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious.

The IMD also warned that several districts including Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar may face heavy to very heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and winds reaching 40–50 km/h. Disaster management teams have been put on alert.

Importance of Nijmula Valley

The Nijmula Valley is known as the largest sheep and goat rearing area in Chamoli district. Livestock is the backbone of the local economy, and such a large-scale loss has shaken the community. Shepherds say that rebuilding their herds will take years, and without government support, survival will be difficult.

Continuous rain worsens situation

Heavy rains that began late Sunday night continued into Monday morning, adding to the difficulties faced by villagers. Strong winds and hailstorms have damaged crops and increased the risk of further disasters.

With hundreds of goats killed, families are demanding urgent compensation. As the orange alert continues, authorities are under pressure to provide relief and ensure safety in the coming days.