Precautions to prevent deadly electric shocks during monsoon

In Pakistan, during monsoon urban flooding is a norm in most of the areas due to the poor drainage system. Moreover, overhead wiring through electric polls in cities, have enforced the management and media to guide people about the safety and precautions. When the rain lashes out, current plunges on the roads or electric polls. The reason could be short-circuit due to the substandard quality electrical material, as stated in Dawn, 2022. This leads to electrocution and hence, fatalities.

According to Geo tv, 2021 lives were lost because of faulty wiring, defective distribution systems, broken down wires, rickety infrastructure, impaired drainage systems and generally due to the public’s negligence to adopt safe behaviors.

Therefore, NEPRA has released the safety tips for the public to follow:

NEPRA has established Occupational Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Department with vision of “Power with Safety” to ensure compliance of NEPRA Safety Code and applicable legal requirements by licensees with its commitment to achieve zero incident goal in Power Sector by adopting the most effective and proactive HSE practices to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable power services in Pakistan, Nepra, state of industry.

Few major precautions released by Nepra awareness report:

1. Don’t install kunda connection. This can lead to potentially fatal electric shock
2. In the rain, don’t ring the doorbell if you are soaking wet or if the doorbell is wet.
3. Children should not play near electric pole and lines, especially in rain
4. Keep a distance of 3 meters (10 feet) from the electric pole during rain.

Therefore, there is a need of a holistic plan to overcome the issues related to electrical system in Pakistan. The plan could include the steps to educate people to be more vigilant especially during the monsoon and encourage them to come forward and take safety measures, as it is a collective responsibility. Such awareness will help in decreasing the number of fatalities and injuries.