Farm worker electrocuted in Kolhapur village; MSEDCL issues advisory

Kolhapur: A 42-year-old farm worker was electrocuted after coming in contact with a snapped overhead power cable at Kumbhoj in Hatkanangale tehsil on Monday morning.The deceased has been identified as Balu Shivaji Jadhav-Gosavi, a resident of Shahu Nagar in Kumbhoj.

The incident occurred around 7am on July 6 and was reported to the Hatkanangale police.According to the police and spot information, Balu was walking through a sugar cane field with his son, Vishal, when he came in contact with an electric wire that had snapped and fallen on the path due to heavy winds. Balu, who was walking ahead of his son, was electrocuted and died on the spot. Vishal later informed the family.The Hatkanangale police and MSEDCL employees visited the spot and conducted a panchanama.

The body was handed over to the family after an autopsy at the rural hospital in Hatkanangale.Balu is survived by his parents, brother, wife and two disabled children. Mahavitaran assistant engineer M G Kinikar and chief technician Ayub Nayakwadi handed over an immediate relief cheque of Rs 20,000 to the relatives.Following the incident, MSEDCL issued an advisory urging people to stay away from electrical cables that may be damaged during heavy rain and strong winds.

Chief engineer of Kolhapur Circle, Swapnil Katkar, said, “Heavy rain and floods can cause power lines to snap from falling trees or branches, power poles to bend or collapse, water to pool around transformers and feeder pillars, and wet electrical equipment to cause accidents. It is important to keep a safe distance from broken or dangling electrical wires. Since water is a good conductor of electricity, avoid using damp switchboards or electrical appliances.

Regularly check the earthing of the house.”MSEDCL has also advised people to switch off electrical appliances after use. In rural areas, people have been told not to tie animals to electricity poles or stray wires and not to dry clothes near power lines. People have also been asked to avoid going near electric poles, feeder pillars, electric boxes or other electrical equipment in public places.“If there is a power outage, do not rush; wait for some time and contact the MSEDCL consumer services centre. To report, give a missed call to the toll-free numbers of Mahavitaran — 1912, 19120, 1800-233-3435 and 1800-212-3435. The facility to report a complaint about power outages on a mobile number 022-50897100 is also available,” Katkar said.