A tragic electrocution in Bandlaguda on Tuesday evening has left a family and the city reeling after an overhead electric wire snapped during heavy rain and fell into stagnant water. Two people — 15-year-old Jaffar, a Class IX student, and 30-year-old Afroz, an auto driver from Jahangirabad — stepped into the puddle and died instantly.
The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd (TGSPDCL) has issued an urgent public warning: never touch or approach fallen wires. The utility said even wires that appear harmless can be live, and electricity can travel through wet ground and water.
What happened?
Heavy rain and strong winds caused an overhead line to snap near a hotel in Bandlaguda. The wire fell into stagnant water, transforming the puddle into a deadly hazard. Jaffar and Afroz approached the area, and both were electrocuted on contact, dying before they could be rescued. Locals alerted police, who coordinated with TGSPDCL to cut power in the area.
Official response and safety steps
Bandlaguda inspector R. Devender confirmed the cause and said authorities are working with TGSPDCL to secure the site. TGSPDCL has reminded citizens to:
- Stay at least 10 metres away from any fallen or hanging wire.
- Never touch, move, or attempt to secure a downed line—even with dry materials.
- Warn others, keep pets and vehicles clear, and call emergency services immediately.
- Report the incident to TGSPDCL’s emergency/fuse-off line 1912 or the nearest Fuse Off Call Centre.
Experts add: if a wire lands on your vehicle and you must exit due to fire, jump clear without touching the vehicle and ground simultaneously, land with feet together, and shuffle away in small steps to avoid electrical shock.
A wider safety push
The incident follows recent electrocution tragedies during festival activities, prompting the Telangana deputy chief minister to order the removal of hanging cables from poles across the state. TGSPDCL’s CMD Musharraf Faruqui has also urged pandal organisers and the public to follow strict safety norms—plan idol routes based on height, maintain distance from lines, avoid metal decorations, and use only authorised electricians for connections.
What to do now
If you see a fallen wire: keep distance, warn others, and call 1912 immediately. Do not walk near puddles where wires may have fallen; water conducts electricity. Teach children never to play near poles, wires, or electrical equipment.
This heartbreaking loss underscores a simple life-saving rule: when it rains and wires snap, stay back and report. Don’t touch—call for help.
