Several areas of the national capital, Delhi, experienced disruptions in power supply due to thundershowers that occurred early on Saturday morning. The heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds resulted in the uprooting of trees and snapping of branches, causing significant damage to electricity lines and poles, according to officials.
Areas such as Fatehpur Beri, Sainik Farms, Chattarpur, Mundka, Najafgarh, Dwarka, Mahipalpur, Suraj Mal Vihar, Baljeet Nagar, and Dilshad Garden were among those affected by the power outages. The disruptions varied in duration, with the rainfall causing damage to overhead electricity lines, poles, and transformers as a result of fallen trees and broken branches.
Officials highlighted the safety hazards posed by the combination of wet tree branches swinging close to overhead cables, including the risks of short circuits, sparking, and power outages. To tackle the situation, the power distribution companies BROL and BYPL were on high alert and promptly deployed quick response teams (QRTs).
While power supply was quickly restored in most areas, the restoration process took slightly longer in some regions due to the time-consuming task of tree cutting and removal, according to a BSES spokesperson. The spokesperson further explained that gusty winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain affected several parts of north Delhi, leading to damages in the electrical network. Trees and branches falling on overhead electricity lines and poles were the main cause of power disruptions.
In areas such as Swatantra Nagar, Gautam Colony, Kohat Enclave, and Mangolpuri Industrial area, where large trees had fallen on power equipment, the restoration of normal power supply took additional time for the discom. However, the spokesperson from Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) assured that electricity was eventually restored in all the areas affected by the storm and rain.
To address any emergencies, dedicated teams and vehicles were strategically deployed, and the spokesperson emphasized that sufficient inventory of essential spare parts, tools, equipment, transformers, and switchgear was ensured to minimize the restoration time for power interruptions.
The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of electricity infrastructure to severe weather conditions. Efforts by the power distribution companies and the availability of resources for prompt restoration highlight the importance of preparedness and swift action in mitigating the impact of such disruptions.
