A transformer explosion near a sewage treatment plant claimed the lives of 16 people, including six police officials, on Wednesday, July 19.
The transformer exploded and electrified a railing on a bridge on the Alaknanda River by the village of Pipalkoti, in northern India, causing significant damage and leaving several people critically injured. The injured were transported to a hospital in Uttarakhand state’s Chamoli district.
The Superintendent of Police in Chamoli, Pramendra Dobhal, said they received a call about a watchman succumbing to electrocution. Upon reaching the site, the police found a horrific scene with 21 people who had been electrocuted and injured.
The precise cause of the explosion remains unclear, prompting the state’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, to order a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The sudden loss of life has cast a shadow over the region, worsening the already dire circumstances caused by relentless monsoon rains. With water levels in numerous northern Indian rivers continuing to surge, flooding has devastated the area, claiming the lives of over a hundred people in just three weeks.
The ongoing monsoon season has undoubtedly intensified the challenges faced by local residents, amplifying the urgency for proactive measures to mitigate future risks.
