Gales create havoc, uproot several electric poles and trees in Godavari districts

Rajahmundry: A brief spell of rainfall accompanied with gales created havoc in several parts in Godavari districts on Thursday.

In Rajahmundry, the day temperature was recorded at 47 degrees Celsius causing hardships to the people. Several main thoroughfares and junctions wore a deserted look as the people preferred to remain indoors to avoid blistering heat wave. Similarly, several parts in Godavari districts witnessed high day temperature.

By evening, high velocity winds uprooted several electric poles and trees mainly in and around Rajahmundry and also at Eluru causing disruption in power supply in many areas.

As the electric poles got uprooted, high tension power lines were snapped. At some places, trees were uprooted and their branches fell on parked cars damaging them heavily. People ran for shelter as they were unable to withstand the gales. Huge hoardings also collapsed at many places.

EPDCL Rajahmundry circle superintending engineer YSN Prasad said, “Based on preliminary assessment on extent of damage due to heavy gales, about 50 electric poles were uprooted in and around Rajahmundry. Our personnel are taking up restoration works and by tomorrow, we will be able to restore power supply to the entire district.”

EPDCL Eluru Circle superintending engineer Ch. Satyanarayana said, “Several parts in the district suffered disruption in power under the influence of heavy gales. Areas at Kukkunuru, Velerupadu, Tadepalligudem, Jangareddygudem and Eluru mandals suffered power disruption due to uprooting of poles, snapping of transmission lines.

In Eluru town, a power transformer fell down at a Colony. We are taking up power restoration works and will be able to supply power soon."