Heavy Rains: 1,357 Electric Poles, 280 Transformers Damaged in Telangana
Braving heavy rains, the staff worked relentlessly, swimming across water bodies to climb electric poles to carry out restoration works in Medak district
Hyderabad: Around 1,357 electric poles collapsed and 280 transformers were damaged in southern discom area due to torrential rains that lashed the State for the last few days.
Due to heavy rainfall since Tuesday night, several areas have been severely affected, with lakes, ponds, and rivers overflowing. Floodwaters have inundated several 33/11 kv substations, and damaged electric poles have disrupted the power distribution system in many villages.
TGSPDCL Chairman and Managing Director Musharraf Faruqui stated that the staff was working relentlessly on a war footing, braving heavy rains and floods, even swimming across rivers and climbing electric poles to carry out restoration efforts.
During a teleconference held on Thursday with Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers, the power supply situation was reviewed. Officials reported that Medak district suffered significant damage due to floods. In Medak, water entered several substations, affecting 33 kV feeders - 11, 11 kV feeders - 175, distribution transformers - 262, and electric poles - 971. Hundreds of kilometers of power lines and conductors were also damaged.
Apart from Medak, districts such as Nalgonda, Gadwal, Yadadri, Sangareddy, and Narayanpet also reported damages. Overall, across the Discom’s jurisdiction, 39 33 kV feeders, 296 11 kV feeders, 280 distribution transformers, and 1,357 electric poles were damaged due to floods.
Further, the Chief Engineer of rural zone, Bala Swamy, informed the CMD that damages might increase as floods continue. Despite the heavy rains and a festival day, the entire power department staff worked tirelessly.
In Medak district, power supply was disrupted in 15 villages due to heavy floods, but the staff’s round-the-clock efforts restored supply in 10 villages by Wednesday night. However, due to damaged roads and ongoing heavy rainfall, supply could not be restored in the remaining villages by night.
On Thursday, the staff waded into a river in Rajipet village to repair a feeder and successfully restored the power supply. The CMD emphasized that the swift restoration of power supply in a short time was possible due to the staff’s dedicated efforts on a war footing. He instructed officials to ensure that safety measures are strictly followed during restoration work.