A recent wave of catastrophic fires, sparked by electrical short circuits, has caused widespread destruction across Nepal, leaving many families homeless and traumatized. It is investigated that the growing crisis, uncovering the stories of those affected and the urgent need for better electrical safety.
Recently, Nepal has seen a sharp increase in household fires, with electrical short circuits being the main culprit. These fires have wreaked havoc, especially in residential neighborhoods, leaving families displaced, their belongings destroyed, and in some tragic cases, lives lost.
One of the most heartbreaking stories comes from Kathmandu, where a seemingly ordinary home was reduced to ashes in a matter of hours. Ram Sharma, a 53-year-old father from Kathmandu, was enjoying dinner with his family when disaster struck. "It started with a strange buzzing sound, then a loud pop and the smell of burning wires," he recalls. Before he could react, flames spread quickly through the house. "I shouted for my family to get out, but the smoke was suffocating. We barely escaped with our lives." As they stood outside, watching their home burn to the ground, Ram couldn't believe what had just happened. "In a few minutes, everything we had—our belongings, our memories—was gone." His family's story is one of many across Nepal, as electrical short circuits have left homes and lives destroyed.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), between 2014 and mid-March 2023, Nepal reported 18,772 fire incidents, resulting in 769 fatalities. Alarmingly, fire incidents have quadrupled over the past decade, with nearly 100 people dying in fires each year. The majority of these incidents have been linked to electrical short circuits, which experts say are becoming more prevalent due to outdated infrastructure and improper installations.
The situation is becoming increasingly alarming for firefighters, particularly at Kathmandu's Juddha Barun Yantra Office, who are grappling with an overwhelming workload. An employee from the office shared that fire trucks are dispatched 250-255 days a year, with nearly 70% of these fires traced back to electrical faults. Dhruva Kumar Bhujel, the Chief of Juddha Barun Yantra Office, expressed deep concern, calling for urgent action and better coordination between government agencies, the Nepal Electricity Authority, and cable operators. He warned that the widespread use of outdated wiring and neglected cables dangling from utility poles are creating a ticking time bomb, fueling the rise in deadly short-circuit fires. The growing frequency of these fires is not just a crisis; it's a looming disaster waiting to happen.
Beyond the physical devastation, the emotional and psychological toll on affected families is equally profound. "We lost everything—our photo albums, our children's toys, even our identification papers," Sunita says, her voice filled with despair. "Starting over feels like an impossible task." For many, the trauma of watching their lives go up in smoke is a burden they will carry long after the flames have been extinguished.
In response to the escalating crisis, both the government and various non-governmental organizations have stepped in with relief efforts, offering temporary shelter, food, and clothing to those displaced by the fires. At the same time, awareness campaigns have been launched to educate the public on electrical safety, aiming to reduce the risk of future short-circuit fires. These initiatives are crucial in preventing further devastation and protecting communities from similar disasters.
Experts and advocates are calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms in Nepal’s electrical safety regulations, urging updates to outdated electrical codes, regular inspections, and stricter safety standards for both residential and commercial buildings. As the country begins to recover from the recent wave of devastating fires, there is a growing push for coordinated action to prevent future tragedies. Only through sustained efforts—from public awareness campaigns to rigorous regulatory enforcement—can Nepal hope to address the root causes of electrical short circuits and ensure that its households are protected from this deadly threat.
