Come monsoon season and the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Organisation (Tangedco) issues press releases on the caution that the public should take to avoid electricity-related accidents. Yet, there are electrocution incidents and fatal accidents.
According to data available with Tangedco, between May and August last year, there were two fatal electrocution accidents in the department, 14 non-department accidents involving human beings and four animal deaths.
This year, during the last four months, there is no fatal accident in the department. The total number of people who died due to electrocution is 16 and animals is four.
Tangedco Chief Engineer T. Haldorai told The Hindu that the electrocution deaths were not only due to rains. These were also because of negligence, contact with wires that did not have proper insulation. “I plan to have a meeting with the industry associations soon, especially builders, wiring contractors, to educate them on the precautions that need to be taken,” he said.
Regarding the recent death of a child due to electrocution, he said the Tangedco has been repeatedly giving details of the dos and donts during monsoon. Usually, when a live wire snaps during rains, the fuse would go off.
If there is no proper earthing, it takes time. Hence, parents should not allow children to come or play outside during rains, animals should not be tied to electricity poles, people should keep off from electricity poles.
Line snaps
In the rain last night, a 110 KV line snapped near Palladam and that has been set right. Necessary steps have been taken to set right immediately any damage caused by rains to the electricity infrastructure, he said.