Tourist entry to Paithalmala suspended after woman’s death due to lightning

Entry to Paithalmala, a major hill tourism destination in Kannur district, has been suspended until further notice after a woman tourist was killed in a lightning strike there on Sunday evening.

The deceased was identified as Anju Mathew, 31, an employee of the Pullingome village office, who had visited Paithalmala with her husband, Sonu, on Sunday. Sonu sustained serious injuries in the incident and was admitted to private hospital at Karuvanchal by local people and security personnel. A forest watcher present at the spot also sustained minor injuries.

The incident occurred around 6 p.m. amid heavy rain, thunder, and intense lightning in the area. The police conducted an inquest and shifted Anju’s body to the mortuary of the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital.