Elephant killed in lightning

KOTTAYAM: An elephant brought to the Kadappattur Mahadevar Temple for the temple festival was killed after being struck by lightning. The elephant, Chaappamattom Krishnankutty, owned by Haridas of Ponkunnam, was brought to the temple to hold the ‘thidambu’ on the ‘aarattu’ day. He was taken for the customary bath and was being brought back when the accident occurred. According to veterinary doctor Sabu C Isaac, he was one of the five elephants to be paraded on Tuesday. The incident occurred by 3:15 pm and the elephant succumbed to the shock 15 minutes later. The festivities in connection with the temple festival have been cancelled following the tragedy. However, the formal rituals would be completed, authorities said.