Dangling wires pose danger from above

death lurks overhead

Officials say there is a lack of material to replace the damaged electric equipment and inadequate staff to do such works as minimum funds allotted are to the department

Khammam: Many deaths have been taking place every year in Khammam district because of live electric wires swaying and hanging from the poles. Every monsoon witnessess electrocution deaths. The erratic power supplied mostly at irregular timings is one of the main reasons for electric shocks resulting in more number of deaths in the district.

Electrical wires, sagging, swaying and hanging from the poles, are a familiar sight in many villages including town. It became a serious threat to people especially to the farmers and live stock. Many instances of short circuit or high voltage were reported that have caused property damage at various places in the district.

In a recent incident, fire broke out at Kaman Bazaar located in the city centre due to short circuit. It mishap occurred in Garlapati Metal shop and caused property of about Rs 50 lakhs. In a similar incident at Vaddera Bazaar of Ashwaraopet mandal, four houses and a two wheeler were gutted.

In Sattupalli mandal, the electrical appliances in many homes and also motors in agricultural fields have been reportedly damaged due to high voltage. With poor maintenance, plants grew around the transformers at several places. A resident of Ashwaraopet mandal, Manohar, said, “Recently, as a result of the gusty winds and heavy rains, many trees were uprooted and fell on the electric wires.

Whenever it rains, trees fall on the electric wires. The wires as such are not bad but the trees that fall upon them create a dangerous situation. The authorities should ensure that trees are trimmed regularly and old trees are removed.” In some villages, the electric wires have been hanging so low that they were within the reach of hands posing a serious threat.

Many livestock were killed as the wires have been hanging low in agricultural fields. Commenting on the issue, Babu Rao, divisional engineer, Electricity department, said, “People must be cautious to prevent themselves from electric shocks. During rainy season, electrical accidents are very common but can be easily prevented.”

He advised people not to go near snapped electric lines or poles and inform the officials if they come across one. Electric items should not be used during the time of lightening, said Babu Rao. Regarding the compensation for deaths caused due to electric shocks, Babu Rao said: “The compensation will be given only under three circumstances.

If death occurred due to the electric wires hanging low or if suddenly the electric wire is cut and leads to death or if a transformer is located at higher heights along with the failure of the earthing wire and leads to death of an animal or a human being.”

In some cases, the wires are located deep inside forest areas where wildlife getting electrocuted was not even getting reported. The need for re-aligning electric wires that pass through dense forest areas was not as it was not being viewed as a serious threat to wildlife.

But in the hillocks and in the forest areas wires dangle at a low level posing a threat to wildlife. Telugu Desam Party leader Hanumanth Reddy said, “It clearly shows the negligence of electricity department officials.

The government should provide quality power supply to farmers at systematic timings. The electrical wires must be insulated. And also efforts must be taken to re-align electric wires that are hanging low in order to prevent deaths caused due to electric shocks in the district.”

By Puli Sharath Kumar