A transformer explosion near a sewage treatment plant claimed the lives of 16 people, including a policeman and three from the paramilitary Home Guard, on Wednesday, July 19.

The transformer exploded near the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand in northern India near Tibet, electrifying a railing by the plant. The accident caused significant destruction and left 11 individuals injured – two in critical condition. The injured were promptly taken to a hospital in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state.

Superintendent of Police in Chamoli, Pramendra Dobhal, noted that they initially received a distress call regarding a watchman who had been electrocuted. Arriving at the site, the police were met with a devastating scene: 27 people electrocuted and injured.

The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined. Consequently, the state’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has commanded a thorough investigation into the occurrence.

The incident has brought more sorrow to a region already grappling with harsh monsoon rains that have caused significant damage. The continuous rise of water levels in various northern Indian rivers has led to widespread flooding and claimed over a hundred lives in the past three weeks.

The challenges of the ongoing monsoon season have increased the need for proactive strategies to alleviate potential future risks.