Kerala lineman swims across raging stream to bring back light
A KSEB lineman named Mohammed Rafeek swam across a swollen stream to clear a fallen coconut frond from a power line, successfully restoring electricity to Chatholikkundu. His dedication was publicly praised by government officials and local residents.
Why it matters
The story highlights the commitment of frontline workers in maintaining essential infrastructure under hazardous conditions.
The rain had stopped, but the stream near Chatholikkundu was still in spate. On the other side lay the cause of the power failure: a rain-soaked coconut frond that had fallen on the power line.
Standing on the bank, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) lineman Mohammed Rafeek had two choices: wait for the water to subside or cross the stream. He chose the latter.
Power supply to Chatholikkundu near Angadippuram has been disrupted since Saturday morning (August 1). KSEB workers made several attempts to restore it, but failed due to a short circuit caused by the wet frond.
During the inspection, they found that the obstruction was on the other side of the swollen stream. Reaching the spot was difficult as the strong current made access unsafe.
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