Credit: DH Photo
Dharwad: Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds over the past two months have wreaked havoc on the power infrastructure across Kittur-Karnataka, Kalyana-Karnataka, and Coastal Karnataka, inflicting a combined loss of over Rs 30 crore on the regional electricity supply companies - Hescom, Gescom and Mescom.
According to Hescom officials, the agency suffered damages of Rs 6.07 crore between May and June this year due to incessant rains and strong winds. The impact has been severe across its seven divisions. Over 4,601 electricity poles have been damaged. Continuous rain, flooding, and lightning have also damaged 214 power transformers.
In Dharwad district alone, 613 poles and 28 transformers were damaged, while Gadag reported the uprooting of 284 electricity poles. Uttara Kannada, which recorded the highest rainfall, saw 2,128 poles collapse and 142 transformers damaged.
7.5k poles damaged
Gescom has reported extensive damage across its jurisdiction. According to Gescom officials over 7,544 electric poles have been completely damaged in the last two months and over 498 transformers have been damaged.
In the Kalaburagi division, Kalaburagi City suffered major infrastructure damage with 2,060 poles and 110 transformers affected. Bidar district reported damage to 1,190 poles and 150 transformers. Additionally, more than 65 km of power lines have collapsed.
Coast hit hard
Mescom, the electricity supply company operating in Coastal Karnataka, submitted a report stating that over 5,050 electric poles have been damaged and 137 transformers have burst. Power lines in over 253 km have been disrupted. The coastal belt continues to face severe power disruption due to incessant rainfall and strong winds.
GESCOM Managing Director Ravindra Karlingannavar said, “In urban areas, damaged transformers are replaced within 24 hours, while in rural areas, the process takes up to 72 hours. However, immediate repair becomes difficult if a large number of poles are affected or if the damage occurs at night. We stock extra poles and transformers during the monsoon to ensure quicker restoration.”
Narayan Bhat, a senior citizen and member of the Hescom Users’ Committee from Heggara village in Ankola taluk, shared a ground reality.
“During the rainy season, it’s common for trees to fall on electric lines and poles. Even after repairs, damage recurs frequently. Once the monsoon sets in, villagers often go without electricity for a week to fifteen days, living cut off from the outside world. We’ve become used to this. Thankfully, with the recent installation of solar and UPS systems, the situation is slightly better than before.”