The Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda in Kyaikhto Township, Mon State, was partly hit by lightning at about 2.40am on May 16, but there no major damage, according to the pagoda board of trustees. 

“After lightning, there was a crack of about 3 feet in the sacred boulder of the pagoda. There was no major damage,” said a member of the pagoda board of trustees.

On the night of May 15, the rain poured down on the pagoda platform, according to local sources.

“It had been raining heavily since last night. There was thunder and lightning. The pagoda was also hit by lightning,” said a local resident.

The Buddha Pujaniya festival of the pagoda is annually held from full moon day of Thadingyut to full moon day of Kason. On May 14 (full moon day of Kason) also, a mountain closing ceremony was held, according to the pagoda board of trustees.