Chennai Reels from Rains, Worker Electrocuted

Heavy overnight rains battered several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvannamalai, causing widespread waterlogging and a tragic loss of life. A 30-year-old sanitation worker, Varalakshmi, was fatally electrocuted in Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar early Saturday morning after stepping on a severed live electric wire submerged in stagnant water during her cleaning duties, police confirmed.

The incident occurred around 4:50 a.m. as Varalakshmi, a contract worker with the Greater Chennai Corporation, navigated flooded streets in the OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) area. Unaware of the exposed cable, she suffered a fatal electric shock and died at the scene. Her body was sent to Royapettah Government Hospital for a post-mortem, and the Kannagi Nagar police, led by Inspector Nataraj, are investigating. Residents had previously reported exposed wires on 11th Cross Street, raising concerns about civic negligence. Around 50 fellow sanitation workers staged a protest outside the local ward office, demanding accountability and better safety measures.

The relentless downpour, marking the second consecutive day of intense showers, caused significant disruptions across Chennai. A massive tree fell near Loyola College in Nungambakkam, blocking traffic until Greater Chennai Corporation workers and traffic police cleared the debris. Subways were drained to ensure safe passage, with officials urging commuters to exercise caution. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the rains to a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal, forecasting moderate to severe thunderstorms through Sunday for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Nagapattinam.

Also Read: Tragedy in Hyderabad: Two Electrocuted During Ganesh Idol Transport

Waterlogging plagued areas like Guindy, Velachery, Alandur, Vadapalani, Kodambakkam, Nungambakkam, Saligramam, Virugambakkam, Anna Nagar, and Tambaram, where a bus stand was inundated, stranding commuters. The Tamil Nadu government announced a Rs 20 lakh compensation for Varalakshmi’s family, who are survived by her two children, aged 10 and 12. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed condolences and directed officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure electrical safety checks. The tragedy has sparked public outcry on platforms like X, with users criticizing the state’s infrastructure lapses, while authorities pledge to prevent future incidents through stricter safety protocols.

Also Read: Tragic Electrocution at Thane Site: Contractors Face Charges for Negligence!