NEPRA takes notice of electrocution deaths in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has taken serious notice of the deaths caused by electrocution during heavy rains in Karachi over the last few weeks.

According to a press statement issued by the authority today, “In order to ascertain the real causes behind these incidents and to fix responsibility”, Nepra has created a dedicated email address to receive evidence from the general public and affected persons”.

Nepra invited residents of Karachi to report electrocution cases “along with evidence” by sending an email to keelectrocution@nepra.org.pk “at the earliest”.

The notice was taken a day after three people died of electrocution in separate incidents as moderate to heavy rain continued to batter the city. Another three people were electrocuted in the city on Sunday.

A total of 12 people lost their lives due to electrocution over the past month as monsoon rains lashed Karachi, wreaking havoc on the city’s municipal and power infrastructure.

On July 22, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority had issued a show-cause notice to K-Electric over excessive load-shedding in Karachi.

The investigation committee formed to probe into the matter of excessive load shedding submitted its report to NEPRA blaming the power company for the power crisis.

Subsequently, the regulatory authority had decided to proceed further and issued a show-cause notice to K-Electric, after a public hearing a few days ago and a visit by an investigation team to Karachi.

In a statement, NEPRA said the investigation committee constituted to look into the excessive load-shedding in Karachi had submitted its report.

“In the light of findings of the investigation committee, the Authority had decided to proceed further and issue a show-cause notice to K-Electric,” the regulator said in a brief statement.

The show-cause notice was initiated under Sections 28 and 29 of the NEPRA Act and licensing rules for failing to ensure uninterrupted power supply to consumers and maintaining quality.

The authority has started the process for similar proceedings against two other power distribution companies of the federal government operating in Sindh.