These photos above reminds me of what I saw in Patagonia. This photos is one of the ls one of the smaller and best kept main junctions hanging low over the main road. Often wires of random stuff is hanging down and touching the road, could be a main, extension or phone line. Yes there is a normal extension cord in this "nut". I saw one fella just cut the insulation of a main wire, while it was live, and twisted a new lead to it to have a simple light outside. He was one of the more highly qualified sparky's as he used electrical tape after, well it was outside after all.
While in Patagonia I did read that they were trying to do something about it. Because a young girl died after running across a lawn and there was an extension cord in a puddle.