Kerala explores AI to prevent electrocutions from snapped wires

Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty said on Wednesday that the state government is exploring advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to reduce fatal accidents caused by snapped live wires.

He informed the assembly that the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has been conducting comprehensive line patrols to identify and fix the potential hazards.

The minister's remarks came in response to the opposition UDF's concerns over a series of electrocution deaths in the state.

He noted that special inspections are being conducted at schools and hospitals, and KSEB is coordinating efforts to cut down trees that pose a risk to power lines during heavy rains or winds.

Krishnsnkutty listed various initiatives being implemented by the KSEB to enhance safety and said such dangers can be reduced remarkably through modern technology after the complete roll out of smart meters in the state.

He also said a new software is being developed to provide an early warning about such dangers.

A panel, comprising experts of IIT Palakkad, the Electrical Inspectorate and KSEB officials, is conducting a study to explore the possibilities of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reducing electrocution and related accidents in the state, he further said.

However, the minister rejected the opposition charge that such incidents occurred frequently.

According to him, majority of such incidents took place at homes of consumers while using ladders or sticks for various tasks.

In Kerala, the months of May, June, July and August witnessed most number of electrocutions, as it was the time trees got uprooted due to heavy rains and winds, he said, adding that the line-land ratio is very high in the state.

Many cases of electrocution were reported from various places in the state recently.

A 19-year-old youth died in Nedumangadu in Thiruvananthapuram district recently after coming into contact with a live wire that had snapped and fallen on the road following heavy rains.

The recent electrocution of an eighth-standard student, after coming into contact with a live wire, at an aided school in Thevalakkara in Kollam district had triggered a political row in the state.