Moment lightning strikes One World Trade Center leaving photographer momentarily blind and deaf

This is the astounding moment a fork of lightning directly struck the One World Trade Center in Manhattan, leaving the photographer temporarily deaf and blind.

Zohaib Anjum, 34, captured images and video footage of lighting striking the top of the tower, at one point fanning out into purple branches. 

The footage of the 1,776ft building was captured during a storm on Sunday, after tornadoes ripped through the South and Widwest over the weekend. 

Anjum, who had travelled from his home in Dubai on a two-week trip, captured the breathtaking images from a rooftop on Broadway. 

He said: ‘A storm was predicted to hit, but my friend arranged a rooftop in Manhattan for us. As I prayed for lightning strike, it happened!

Zohaib Anjum, 34, captured images and video footage of lighting striking the top of the tower on Sunday from a rooftop on Broadway

Pictured: The One World Trade Center in Manhattan (file photo)

‘I was left deaf and blinded for a second or two but managed to capture the moment. Dreams do come true!’

The photographer added: ‘It takes hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck to accomplish what we set our hearts on. 

‘But the feeling of achieving it is indescribable.’ 

Anjum has previously captured images of lightning across other cityscapes, such as at the Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.

When the weather forecast predicted a storm, he hoped that he would get the chance to snap some incredible pictures in Manhattan.

Anjum said: ‘As a photographer, I’ve always chased powerful moments.

The footage of lightning striking the 1,776ft building was captured during a storm. Anjum said: ‘I was left deaf and blinded for a second or two but managed to capture the moment. Dreams do come true!’ 

Three lightning bolts appear to hit the Burj Khalifa in Dubai simultaneously in a photo taken by resident Zohaib Anjum

‘Capturing lightning at the top of Burj Khalifa was a dream achieved, and now I can add the WTC Tower in New York to my portfolio. Nature has a way of lending its hand and I feel grateful for it.’

Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands at 2,717 feet. It holds a few records, including the tallest building in the world, the highest occupied floor in the world, and the highest number of stories in the world.

It was designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. 

Originally known as the Freedom Tower, the One World Trade Center was designed by David Childs, and was completed in 2013. 

Currently the tallest structure in North America and the Western Hemisphere, the One World Trade Center was built on the site of the former Twin Towers, which were destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Severe weather warnings have been in effect in Manhattan this week, with further dramatic electrical storms predicted, which could produce damaging winds and lightning.