Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070453130300.htm

Kerala - Kollam

Power supply being restored at Karunagapally

Staff Reporter

KOLLAM: Heavy rain accompanied by strong wind on Thursday night inflicted major damage to the power supply system in the Karunagapally division of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

Major sections under the division such as Ochira, Sasthamcotta, Chavara, Thevalakara and Karunagapally were badly affected.

Chief Engineer of KSEB’s Kollam circle K. Prabhakaran Nair said that at 199 locations, high tension 11-kV and low tension feeder lines got snapped.

As many as 41 electric posts were damaged and several others were uprooted. Trees that got uprooted in the wind also fell on the feeder lines at several places.

Mr. Nair said the KSEB put the loss at Rs.15 lakh. However, supply to over 90 per cent of the affected areas was restored by Friday afternoon. Mr. Nair said all 11-kV high tension lines were restored. Over 90 per cent of the low tension lines had also been restored by Friday afternoon. At some points, electric posts had to be replaced and this task would be completed by Friday night.

Any information or complaints from consumers should be lodged with the control room at Ph: 2763114.