Eight people were electrocuted in last six months as the victims came in contact with uncovered power supply lines and illegally drawn lines in different areas of the district, said police, referring to unnatural death cases filed in connection with the incidents.

There are 894 kilometres of active power distribution line in Gaibandha district, and 200 kilometres of it are made with naked wires set along croplands, village roads, even residential areas and market places, said sources of Power Development Board.

The naked wires are often drawn with bamboo poles and roadside trees, posing danger for people as well as animals.

Naked wires going across the road often get snapped after being hit by goods carrying trucks, leaving people and animals vulnerable to electrocution.

In many places power supply lines swing even in moderate wind and often sparking occurs due to twisting with other wires, said locals.

Sometimes fire incidents take place from short circuit in power lines, and even mild storms causes snapping of wire, said Abdul Mannan Mondol, chairman of Barisal union parishad in Palashbari upazila.

Monwarul Hasan Jim, chairman of Damodarpur union parishad in Sadullapur upazila, said battery-run auto-rickshaw owners often charge the batteries with electricity from illegal lines, creating power disruption.

A plan for renovation of power distribution lines is under process and the work to replace defective wires and poles will start soon after approval from the authorities concerned, said Sadequl Islam, executive engineer (in-charge) of Gaibandha power distribution division.