MSEDCL Battles Overnight Power Crisis After Cable Damage and Transformer Fire in Nagpur

Nagpur: Snapping of underground cables and a major transformer fire left thousands without electricity on Monday, prompting MSEDCL to launch massive restoration efforts. Repair work continued through the night, with power supply restored in all affected areas before the situation could escalate into a wider outage crisis.The first incident occurred around 8.30pm on May 25 at the Bhandewadi dumping yard, where an NMC JCB machine accidentally damaged the main underground cable linked to the 11 kV Wathoda switching substation, which supplies power to nearly 20,000 consumers.MSEDCL initially diverted the load to an alternative feeder to maintain supply. However, within 30 minutes, the second feeder also developed faults at two locations near Goenka Layout, posing a major technical challenge for the utility.With electricity demand soaring amid the ongoing heatwave, the simultaneous failure of both feeders threatened prolonged outages across the area. MSEDCL subsequently shifted the load of nearly 16,000 consumers to nearby substations to minimise disruption.For the remaining 4,000 consumers, rotational load management was implemented between 9pm and 3am until repairs were completed.Technical teams worked through the night under difficult conditions and restored both damaged cables by 3.15am on May 26, normalising supply in the Wathoda area.Earlier in the day, a fire destroyed a 200 kVA transformer, distribution box and connected cables in the NIT Complex area of Ashirwad Nagar around 4.30am, disrupting supply to nearly 250 consumers.MSEDCL personnel rushed to the spot and replaced the damaged transformer and cables. Officials said restoration work was completed by 2.30pm, after which power supply resumed in the locality.MSEDCL has informed the Electrical Inspector's Office about both incidents. The utility's swift response amid extreme summer conditions drew appreciation from residents in the affected areas.