Power Outage Traps Four in Udupi Taluk Panchayat Elevator

In a distressing incident at the Udupi taluk panchayat (TP) on Thursday, June 6, at 10:30 am, four individuals, including senior citizens, were trapped in an elevator for half an hour due to a power outage. The absence of a generator and emergency exit systems left them in a state of helplessness, sparking widespread criticism of the local administration.

The power failure caused the elevator to halt, trapping the occupants inside and causing significant anxiety. The lack of a backup power source or functioning generator exacerbated the situation.

The incident highlighted the inadequate emergency preparedness of the panchayat building. With no emergency exits or alternative measures in place, the affected individuals had no way to escape, leading to a tense and frightening experience.

Vishwakumar Bhat, one of the victims, described the situation in a complaint filed with the Udupi tahsildar. He noted that two senior men, aged 60 and above, were on the verge of fainting from anxiety. After half an hour, the public managed to free them from the elevator. Bhat criticized the taluk administration for the lack of staff near the security key to open the lift and the absence of fuel to run the generator during the power cut. He emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the lift, a reliable fuel supply for generators, and an emergency exit system. The shifting of the sub-registrar office to the first floor has caused significant inconvenience to senior citizens.

Citizens are demanding immediate improvements to prevent such incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for reliable power backup systems and effective emergency protocols.