Negligence major cause behind electricity mishaps

Hyderabad: Many get electrocuted due to negligence. While some incidents occur due to official apathy, others occur for not adhering to standard practices. Such incidents increase, especially during the rainy season. At least four mishaps took place in the last four months.

According to the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Ltd (TSSPDCL), some 50 persons died and some 2,000 people were involved in electricity mishaps in the city in 2018-19, with most of them taking place during the rainy season. Add to it, many cases go unreported.

Director for Operations at TSSPDCL Srinivas Reddy says, "About 15% of accidents occur due to negligence on part of the consumers trying to conduct theft through mainlines." There have been instances when many workers from the department too were injured and even lost lives, as precautions were not taken.

In a recent incident occurred on June 3, K Shivaji, an 18-year-old student, died on the spot when the umbrella he was carrying touched an electricity pole at BK Guda in SR Nagar.

Senior officials at the department say that in spite of warning ground-level staff not to venture without turning off the power, they continue to do so, risking their lives.

Srinivas Reddy urged power officials to follow precautions before going to pole work and requested the citizens of Hyderabad to use electric devices of good quality to avoid electrocution.

"We conduct awareness campaigns regularly to prevent electrocution and also started conducting regular mass raids and filing FIRs, so that accidents and power thefts can be minimized" he further added.

With the arrival of monsoon, the possibility of accidents related to electricity also increases. Rainfall and storm can cause electric safety hazards and may lead to severe damage to health or loss of life and property. In 2018-19, some 141 lakh rupees ex-gratia was paid to the deceased by TSSPDCL.

Follow standard practices

Majority of electricity-related accidents could have been avoided if people adhere to standard practices, say officials. Even today, people dispose garbage close to transformers. There are instances when the fencing around the transformer too is damaged. It could affect earthing, which is crucial, as it protects from electric shocks.