Strong winds damaged high-voltage power lines, resulting in 16-hour shutdown in most parts of the city on Saturday and Sunday.
Almost half the city is facing power crisis due to the damage to 132 KV and 33 KV high-tension wires due to high-velocity winds. Meanwhile, the Power Development Department (PDD) is struggling to maintain the supply.
According to senior PDD officials, infrastructure had been damaged at several places, especially in Jammu-Sidhra and Muthi-Barnai areas, which feeds power to Janipur grid station.
Janipur, Subash Nagar, Paloura, Muthi, Barnai, Bantalab, parts of Bohri and Sidhra are fed through this grid.
“Power supply remained erratic throughout the day on Saturday while there was no electricity during the night. Technical snags and power shutdown have become a routine during the summer months,” said Satnam Singh, a resident of Janipur.
The power sector has become an Achilles’ heel for the successive state governments. Despite crores being invested for the maintenance of the critical power infrastructure, unscheduled cuts are a routine now.
When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer, Janipur Grid station, BB Sharma said: “Our infrastructure got damaged due to strong winds. At several places, trees fell and damaged the high-tension wires. We are working on restoring the system and it will take some time.”
Residents suffer
Power supply remained erratic throughout the day on Saturday while there was no electricity during the night. Technical snags and power shutdown have become a routine during the summer months. Satnam Singh, a resident of Janipur
Officialspeak
The bad weather has led to this problem in the city. The power infrastructure got damaged due to strong winds. At several places, trees fell and damaged the high-tension wires. We are working on restoring the system and it will take some time. BB Sharma, assistant executive engineer, Janipur grid station
