Pulingome village office employee dies in lightning strike at Paithalmala; husband and forest watcher injured

ALAKODE: A 32-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by lightning at the popular Vaithalmala tourist destination on Sunday afternoon. Two others, including her husband, sustained injuries during the incident. The deceased has been identified as Anju Mathew, a native of Kolayad in Peravoor, who was employed at the Pulingome Village Office.

According to local reports, the incident occurred around 5:00 PM at the hilltop viewpoint. Anju and her husband, Sonu Sebastian, had travelled to the scenic spot via the Kappimala Manjapullu route for a leisure trip. While they were spending time at the viewpoint, a sudden lightning strike hit the area.

Anju’s husband, Sonu Sebastian—a resident of Kakkayamchal, Cherupuzha, and an Excise Civil Officer posted at the Kasaragod Beverages Corporation warehouse—and V.G. Satheesan, a forest watcher from Arangam, were injured in the strike.

Though all three were rushed immediately to a private hospital in Karuvanchal, Anju was declared dead on arrival. The two injured men are currently undergoing medical treatment at the same facility.

Anju and Sonu were married about a year and a half ago. She is survived by her parents, Ullanthottathil Mathew (Thankachan) and Mary, and her brother, Ajay.
The body is currently being kept at the private hospital mortuary pending further legal and medical procedures.