Wayanad landslides: KSEB partially reinstates power supply in affected areas

Kalpetta: Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has partially restored the broken electricity connection in the Chooralmala area, hit by the devastating landslides. 

The power problem up to Chooralmala town has been resolved, informed the KSEB. 

The Board also informed that power supply has been ensured in Meppadi town and major hospitals such as  DM WIMS and Meppadi Government Hospital.

More than three kilometres of high-tension lines and more than eight kilometers of low-tension lines have been completely damaged in the Meppadi electrical section which has become a disaster area due to the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslides. Two transformers were swept away and six collapsed in the landslide. The power supply to around 1000 consumers in the area has been completely disrupted. A preliminary estimate is that at least Rs 3 crores worth of damages have been incurred in this area alone.

As an important bridge and roads were washed away in the landslide area and rescue operations were underway, it was not possible to reach there to assess the damage or start power restoration operations. The reinstatement of electricity supply for about 2,000 consumers on the other side of the disaster will be possible only if the broken lines are restored. This operation can be started only after the rescue operation is completed.

ABC cables, transformers and related materials have been made available for power restoration. Necessary workers and staff have been appointed. 
In North Kerala, power supply was disrupted due to heavy rains. The KSEB also stated that many employees from other parts of the state have been deployed at the Malabar region with the aim of speeding up the restoration of electricity.