Overview

• R. Varalakshmi, a Greater Chennai Corporation conservancy worker, was electrocuted around 5 a.m. after stepping on a live cable submerged in rainwater on 11th Cross Street in Kannagi Nagar.
• Residents and activists say repeated complaints to TANGEDCO about exposed wires and persistent waterlogging in the locality went unaddressed.
• Chennai Police registered a case and began an inquiry, and the body was sent to Royapettah Government Hospital for a post-mortem.
• Health Minister Ma. Subramanian provided ₹20 lakh in condolence payment, while activists demanded ₹1 crore and action against officials from the electricity board and the urban habitat development board.
• Local appeals included immediate inspection and securing of exposed lines, with additional relief announced such as DMK support for the children’s education, a supervisor job offer for the husband from Urbaser Sumeet, and MLA-funded funeral expenses.