CHENNAI:
Cyclone Vardah snapped
transmission lines
leading to
power outages
across Chennai.
Lines started tripping
as rain pounded the city. The
fierce winds
snapped overhead transmission lines in many areas. Power connections were being restored at some areas at the time of print.
Officials expect to take at least 24 hours for power to be restored in the city. “Many incoming 230Kv lines snapped in the morning's strong winds, leading to power cuts in almost all areas. Officials could assess the damage and start work to restore power connections only after the storm blew over,“ said a senior TNEB official. “We were ready with men and materials but to find the fault and start work we needed the rain and wind to stop.“
In last December's deluge, power outages were caused mostly because the pillar boxes and meters were flooded. But this time the gusty winds snapped or brought down transmission towers and lines.
Even the 10-floor TNEB headquarters off Anna Salai went without power and all staff, including the chairman, were forced to work from the load despatch centre. “Power supply snapped along Anna Salai and that included our office too,“ said the official.
The last time the city had such a blackout was during cyclone Thane in 2011. “Even in 2011, we lost several transformers and transmission towers. It took a few days to restore power. This time we hope to restore power by Tuesday afternoon,“ he said.
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