Commuters on way to work, a guard switching generator: 9 die of electrocution amid Kolkata downpour

It started at 4:30 am when Pawan Gharami (34), a security guard at Hotel Niharika in Minto Park, was electrocuted while trying to switch on a generator installed in the premises that got waterlogged. He was rushed to the SSKM Hospital but was declared brought dead.

Barely 45 minutes later, at 5:15 am, Jitendra Singh (60) was electrocuted at his home on Hossain Shah Road. He too was pronounced dead at SSKM Hospital.

At 7:15 am, Firoz Ali Khan (50) was found floating electrocuted in a waterlogged street at Sundari Mohan Avenue. Around the same time, Ram Gopal Pandit (53) died after being electrocuted while cycling through a waterlogged street near Kalikapur More.

At 7:30 am, Prantos Kundu alias Babu Kundu (62) was found floating in a waterlogged street near Netaji Nagar Crossing. He too was electrocuted. At 8:40 am, Sunil Surya (35) was found floating in a waterlogged street at Bengal Polyclaim Industry. He was declared dead at Bangur Hospital.

The flooded Central Avenue in Kolkata on Tuesday. Arterial roads were submerged, flight and train services were affected after the city recorded 251.4 mm, its highest single-day rainfall in four decades (Express/Partha Paul)

Subha Pramanick (25), who was electrocuted while working in a workshop at United Trade Association, was the youngest victim. He was declared dead at MR Bangur Hospital at 9:15 am. Sandeep Guhathakurata (60) died of electrocution in a waterlogged street at Ballygunge Place East.

Another resident, Momtaz Bibi, 70, was injured after getting electrocuted at Mayurbhanj Road. She was taken to hospital and was discharged after treatment.

In South 24 Parganas, Miraj Sheikh (50) too died of electrocution in a street.

Blaming the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) for the deaths, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “In Kolkata, some people tragically lost their lives due to electrocution caused by the negligence of CESC. To the families of the deceased, we extend our heartfelt condolences. There is no compensation for death, and life has no substitute. Still, we will ensure one government job for a member of each bereaved family. I am also instructing CESC to provide compensation. I have spoken with CESC regarding this. Alongside our heartfelt condolences, the families are entitled to this compensation as well.”

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