JHAPA, Aug 19: Cases of electrocution are on the rise in rural areas of Jhapa because of unsafe use of electricity.

Five people lost their lives in July alone, while 10 deaths have been reported in the past four months, according to District Police Office spokesperson Khagendra Bahadur Khadka.

Most victims were rural residents with little technical knowledge about electricity. Police said many deaths occurred while pumping water with electric motors, using current to catch fish, or cutting trees.

In fiscal year 2081/82 alone, 15 people died in the district from electrocution.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Sandip Rajbanshi of Mechinagar-5 died on Monday evening after being electrocuted while repairing a faulty table fan at home. He was rushed to Mechi Amda Hospital in Dhulabari but died during treatment.

People’s News Monitoring Service