Heavy Rain Triggers Electrocution Deaths in Salem

Quick Summary

• Event: Heavy rains in Salem district on the night of September 18, 2025, caused widespread waterlogging and damage.
• Fatalities: two individuals died due too electrocution when a snapped electric cable fell onto their bike during heavy rain. The victims were Perumal (45) and Raji (35).
• Rainfall Data: Salem district recorded 310.30 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with an average of 19.39 mm across the district. Salem city reported the highest rainfall at 45.6 mm.
• Affected Areas: Water stagnation was observed in low-lying areas such as Nethimedu, Ammapet, Ponnammapet, Five Roads, Four Roads, Pallapatti among others.
• Investigation: Deevattipatti police have registered a case regarding the fatalities and are conducting further investigations.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The heavy overnight rain has once again exposed vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure within Salem district’s low-lying regions. While natural factors such as strong winds and torrential downpours led to snapping of electrical cables responsible for tragic fatalities, it underscores systemic issues like inadequate maintenance of power lines and insufficient stormwater management systems.

Further investigation into safety checks by utility providers may be critical to preventing similar incidents during future extreme weather events that are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change-related irregularities. Urban planning efforts also need prioritization to tackle waterlogging challenges effectively.

For communities accustomed to annual monsoons but facing infrastructure deficits, incidents like these serve as a grim reminder that planning gaps can cost lives.

Read more at: The Hindu