As many as 8,260 electric posts across the State were damaged in the rain and strong winds that lashed the State over the past few days, a statement issued here by Kerala State Electricity Board Chairman and Managing Director M. Shivasankar on Saturday said.
Even though the KSEB suffered damage worth crores of rupees, a final estimate is yet to emerge. In the northern parts of the State alone, 44 transformers were damaged in the rain. In central Kerala, 28 transformers have been damaged. Around 1,200 km of high tension and low tension lines were also damaged.
Removing damaged power lines, re-erecting a post, and re-drawing the lines take a long time. So, restoring power supply to all areas where posts or lines were damaged will take a very long time.
Though in many places the timely intervention of the KSEB staff led to the speedy restoration of power supply, there are many other places where power supply is yet to be restored. The restoration work in such places is proceeding on a war footing, the statement said.
Power supply is being reinstated in many areas by temporarily restoring the power lines. Priority is being given to restoring 11-kV lines and transformers. Though electric posts come down mainly due to tree or branches falling on them, soil erosion in some places is the chief reason for posts toppling. For instance, at Velloorkkunnam, near Muvattupuzha, soil erosion damaged even buildings. In such areas, restoration of power supply will take much longer than elsewhere.
Power supply disruptions can be brought to the attention of the board by dialling the customer care number 1912. Those who have the 13-digit consumer number should dial that, others can dial 9 to speak to the KSEB personnel.
Though KSEB’s damage runs into crores, a final estimate is yet to emerge
