Kolkata: Waterlogged streets have become a major cause of concern for the people residing in Kolkata and its adjacent suburbs. As per statistics provided by the state secretariat on Thursday, 13 people died due to electrocution in waterlogged streets in the last few days.
On Wednesday, two teenage girls, Shreya Banik (12) and Anushka Nandi (13) got electrocuted in the waterlogged streets at Matijhil in Dum Dum area of North 24 Parganas district. The teenage girls ventured out of their homes and while passing through the waterlogged streets in the locality, one of them touched a lamp-post and got electrocuted. The other girl died in her attempt to save her friend.
Similarly, on Wednesday evening, Deepak Chowdhury (65) got electrocuted in the waterlogged streets at Agarpara- Tarapukur area also in North 24 Parganas district as he accidentally touched an exposed electrical wire submerged in the waterlogged street in front of his house.
Last Tuesday, three residents of the same family died at Khardah in North 24 Parganas district and the deceased were identified as Raja Das, his wife Poulomi Das and their son Subho Das.
Locals frown upon the electrocution deaths and people are agitated over the local municipalities and the electricity supply entities. It is claimed that switch-boxes at the lamp-posts in these areas often remain open, increasing the risk of people getting electrocuted.
Minister for Power, Arup Biswas refrained from commenting on the issue. An official of the state power department on condition of anonymity claimed that generally, the department takes precautions before every monsoon. "This year also we took precautions. But at certain places, there was excessive rainfall without any forecast. But we are trying to stop such mishaps. But people will also have to be careful," he said.
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