Steady rise in electricity-related fatality rates in India, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Over 18,000 people died in India in 2023 due to electricity-related accidents.
• Electrocution is the leading cause, followed by lightning and electrical fires.
• India's electrical fatality rate reached at least 1 death per lakh population in 2023.
• 61% of electrical accidents in 2025 occurred in distribution networks.
• Over 90% of victims in DISCOM-related accidents were the general public in 2025.

Detailed Insights:

• India's electrical fatality rate is significantly higher than developed countries like Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. where the rate is between 0.01 and 0.04.
• The four-year average electrical fatality rate varies widely across Indian states, ranging from 0.2 to 2.6.
• In 2013, megacities accounted for approximately 13% of total electrical deaths in India, with a higher proportion of deaths due to electrical fires (~25%).
• Most accidents in 2025 were attributed to accidental contact with live wires (35%) and neglect in safety measures or lack of supervision (15%).
• The high incidence of accidents involving the general public highlights the need for improved safety measures by DISCOMs and increased public awareness.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Electrocution: Death or severe injury caused by electric shock.
• DISCOMs: Distribution companies responsible for supplying electricity to consumers.
• Electrical Fatality Rate: Number of deaths due to electrical accidents per lakh population.