Thiruvananthapuram: A tragic incident of electrocution claimed the life of a 19-year-old youth in Nedumangad, underscoring once again the grave dangers posed by unattended live power lines during inclement weather. The deceased has been identified as Akshay, a native of Panayamuttam and a college student who was returning home after completing a catering assignment. The fatal incident occurred shortly past midnight, marking yet another heartbreaking case of death by electrical shock in Kerala.
According to preliminary reports, the accident was triggered when a tree branch snapped during heavy rainfall, causing a high-tension power line to fall onto the road. Unaware of the danger lurking beneath the dark and rain-swept stretch, Akshay and his two companions rode their motorcycle over the fallen wires. The electric current surged through the vehicle, fatally shocking Akshay. The other two youths miraculously escaped with only minor injuries. Their quick reaction and perhaps sheer luck spared them from the same tragic fate.
Local residents and eyewitnesses reported that the power line had been hanging precariously for some time, raising concerns about the Kerala State Electricity Board’s maintenance protocols. The electric pole, reportedly weakened at the base, collapsed under the weight of the fallen branch, exacerbating the risk. With rains intensifying across the region, citizens are once again questioning the preparedness and vigilance of utility services in ensuring public safety.
Akshay’s death has sent shockwaves through his community, where he was known as a bright student and a helpful young man. Friends and relatives gathered at his residence, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss. His family, shattered by the incident, is demanding accountability and calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the power line collapse.
As this tragic episode unfolds, it brings to the forefront the urgent need for stringent safety audits of electrical infrastructure, especially during monsoon months. With multiple such incidents reported in recent years, experts argue that proactive maintenance, swift response to public complaints, and hazard warning systems must become integral parts of Kerala's disaster mitigation strategy.
The authorities are expected to file a report on the accident and initiate a probe into the lapse. Meanwhile, Akshay’s untimely death stands as yet another grim reminder that negligence in infrastructure upkeep can lead to irreversible consequences.