A severe storm and gusty winds that swept through Punjab on Thursday caused extensive damage to the power distribution system. According to preliminary estimates, the Punjab State Power Corporation has suffered a loss exceeding ₹2.06 crore due to this natural calamity. The storm inflicted heavy damage on power infrastructure across various parts of the state, disrupting electricity supply in several areas.
A preliminary report prepared by the power corporation indicates that 129 distribution transformers were damaged due to the strong winds and storm. Additionally, 850 electricity poles collapsed or sustained damage. Furthermore, 8.57 kilometers of power lines, approximately half a kilometer of low-voltage cable, and a section of high-voltage cable were damaged. Reports of damage to other electrical equipment have also emerged from various regions. **Heaviest damage in Central Punjab**
According to the report, the highest damage was recorded in the central region, amounting to over ₹1.11 crore. The southern region followed, with estimated losses of approximately ₹37.49 lakh. Damage worth ₹20.57 lakh was recorded in the eastern region, ₹16.36 lakh in the northern region, and ₹14.23 lakh in the western region. The border region sustained relatively less damage, estimated at around ₹6.68 lakh.
Restoring the power supply following the storm posed a major challenge for the corporation. However, teams from the power corporation were immediately dispatched to the affected areas. Officials stated that repair and restoration work was launched on a war footing, and power supply to most affected feeders was restored within a few hours.
**Repair work still underway**
Power corporation officials stated that field-level inspections are currently ongoing. A final assessment of the damage across various regions is being conducted to ensure that permanent repair work can be completed promptly. Officials state that necessary resources and technical teams have been deployed to areas where the power infrastructure has sustained damage.
The extensive damage caused by the strong winds has once again highlighted the vulnerability of the power infrastructure to weather-related disasters. The corporation claims that all necessary steps are being taken to restore normal power supply in the affected areas and that the remaining repair work will also be completed soon.
