This is the shocking moment a passenger was nearly struck by lightning while opening a car window.

The man attempted to roll down the window when a sudden electric flash hit a pole just inches from their lane in Hainan, China.

Footage shows heavy rain pounding the area as Typhoon Kajiki lashed the region on August 24.

Moments later, the bright bolt zapped the post on the central reservation, sending sparks showering across the motorway.

Women inside the car can be heard screaming in fear as the vehicle sped past.

Typhoon Kajiki swept past the province's southern coast the same day before moving on toward Vietnam and Laos.

Authorities issued red typhoon warnings and yellow alerts, with the government ordering the evacuation of at least 31,000 residents.

Local media reported that more than 20,000 trees were uprooted, while public transport and airport operations were temporarily suspended.