Making the best use of drone in times of crisis, Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (MESCOM) has laid three power supply wires across a river in Dakshina Kannada using it.
When the Kumaradhara was flooded reaching the danger level 10 days ago, a power supply line crossing the river from Darbe, Nekkilady village, to Adekallu, Hirebanday village in Puttur Taluk, snapped when a tree in the powerful current in the river hit it.
But the MESCOM restored power supply temporarily to about 4,000 houses in 10 villages on the Adekallu side by diverting electricity from a different feeder.
But it was not possible to divert the power for long due to overloading and tripping issues.
The original 11 kV supply wires had to be re-laid. The distance between the two ends was about 300 m.
Assistant Executive Engineer, Puttur City Sub-Division, MESCOM, Ramachandra A. told The Hindu that though the river was full, the company officials and workers did make an effort to lay the power supply wires from one side to the other using a boat.
But the company was forced to give it up due to strong current and rocks in the river. Then, it was thought of using the drone on a trial basis.
The drone first carried light weight nylon rope from one end to the other. It flew to both sides repeatedly carrying such nylon ropes until it became a strong rope.
Later, this nylon rope was used to pull the power supply wires from one bank to the other and they were later tied to electricity supply poles at both the ends. The three-day operation involving a 30-member team, 15 each on both the banks of the river, ended on Thursday.
The drone had to be operated carefully due to gusty winds.
The wind direction also mattered in carrying the nylon ropes initially.
Mr. Ramachandra said that the trial became a success boosting the confidence that in times of such emergencies the same method can be adopted.
