Six electrocuted to death in Karachi downpour

KE was ordered to complete earthing, grounding of its distribution system last year

KARACHI:

At least six persons, including a child, were electrocuted to death in Karachi as heavy showers battered the metropolis on Wednesday, during the first spell of monsoon rains.

The deaths are attributed to the alleged negligence of K-Electric (KE), which is already caught in a legal battle over 19 electrocution deaths during rains last year.

Deaths

A man on a motorcycle was electrocuted to death after an electricity wire fell on him during the rainfall near Kingri House on Karsaz Road. A video went viral on social media, showing the body lying on the road as the police redirected traffic. The deceased was identified as 50-year-old Muhammad Rafiq and the body was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

Meanwhile, a labourer, Mirza Rehman, 49, received electric shocks while digging the ground near Darul Islam Masjid in Karimabad. The body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Separately, 70-year-old Asghar Jan was electrocuted to death at a house in Model Colony. The body was shifted to JPMC for medico-legal formalities. When approached for more information on the matter, Model Colony Police expressed ignorance about the incident.

Moreover, a retired KE official, 80-year-old Sher Dil, fell prey to the alleged negligence of the power utility as he received severe electric shocks while repairing a water pumping motor at a house in Hijrat Colony. The body was shifted to JPMC and handed over to the heirs after the completion of medico-legal formalities.

In another tragic incident, 10-year-old Ahmed Raza was electrocuted to death in New Karachi. According to New Karachi Police Station SHO, Raza received electric shocks after he came in contact with an electricity pole while standing in water which had pooled in the aftermath of heavy rain. The body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Meanwhile, an electrician, 25-year-old Rashid, was electrocuted to death while repairing the outer unit of an air conditioner on the roof of a bank in North Karachi. The body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

A history of 'negligence'

Electrocution deaths in Karachi during the monsoon rains are not a novel occurrence. They have previously been ascribed to KE's alleged negligence, with the power utility having a track record of failing to take preemptive measures for avoiding such untoward incidents.

At least 40 electrocution deaths were reported during the monsoon season last year, of which KE was held responsible for 19 deaths.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had imposed a fine of Rs50 million on KE in December, 2019, after its investigation concluded that the power utility was responsible for 19 electrocution deaths during monsoon rainfalls that summer, "due to lack of earthing of LT/HT poles and leakage of current from the distribution facilities of KE."

Besides, the regulatory body had also directed KE to complete the earthing and grounding of its distribution system by April, as well as to carry out a third-party audit of its distribution system. The power utility had also been directed to complete its internal investigation and fix responsibility on its employees and management and submit its final report to the authority.

Rain spell nearing end

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meterological Department has forecast that scattered drizzle and light showers will be experienced in Karachi on Thursday, with few areas witnessing thunderstorms and lightning.

"However, the rain system will begin to weaken in the evening," said chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz.

Following this development, he said, sea breezes will be restored and another rain system was likely to enter the city near during mid-July.

Power cuts continue

The current spell of rain also aggravated the electricity crisis in the city, much to the dismay of citizens, who were already troubled by long hours of load-shedding in the hot weather.

Several areas of Karachi remained deprived of electricity for up to 20 hours, with complaints of broken cables, tripped feeders, faults in pole-mounted transformers and other technical issues piling up.