Short Circuit Of Low Electrical Wires Guts 70 Acres Of Maize In Bhupalpally
Area farmers said the blaze started near a transformer when loose electrical cables came into contact and sent sparks flying into the dry fields: Reports
WARANGAL: Sparks due to short circuiting of low-hanging electrical wires destroyed about 70 acres of ready-to-harvest maize crop belonging to 17 farmers in Ganeshpally and Peddakomatipally villages of Mogullapally mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district late on Saturday evening.
Area farmers said the blaze started near a transformer when loose electrical cables came into contact and sent sparks flying into the dry fields. Despite the quick arrival of fire tenders, the intensity of flames reduced the standing crop and harvested cobs to ashes.
The loss is estimated at ₹21 lakh. Victims informed Revenue and agricultural officials, who inspected the site on Sunday, that the mishap could have been prevented had the Electricity department properly maintained the distribution lines and transformers in the area.
The villagers underlined that they had made several representations regarding the dangerously hanging wires. But no remedial action had been taken by the concerned authorities.
Visiting the affected fields on Sunday, Bhupalpally MLA Gandra Satyanarayana Rao expressed his deep concern over the recurring nature of such accidents.
He pointed out that a similar fire had occurred last year due to poor maintenance of electrical infrastructure. The MLA criticised the department for failing to provide a permanent solution over the past three years, which has now led to 17 farmers losing their year’s livelihood in a single afternoon.
Satyanarayana Rao said he has contacted NPDCL CMD Varun Reddy and district collector Rahul Sharma to initiate an emergency survey of electrical infrastructure over and near agricultural fields. He further said he has spoken to Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao about the possibility of government procuring the damaged maize to mitigate the farmers’ loss.
Assuring the victims of swift response, the MLA promised that once the district collector completes the formal inspection, the government will ensure immediate release of compensation. He asked farmers to remain resilient, as the state government would extend full support to help farmers recover from their significant loss.
