Power cuts add to heat wave woes

• Frequent power trippings across Telangana
• Proper upkeep of transformers not ensured
• High temperatures leading to their burnout
• Shortage of staff, equipment worsen problem

Hyderabad: Failure of power utilities to ensure proper maintenance of transformers has resulted in frequent tripping across Telangana leading to frequent power breakdowns and unscheduled power cuts. The situation is unlikely to improve in the next four days.

As complaints are pouring in round-the-clock from the citizens who are already facing severe heat wave conditions, the Transmission Corporation of Telangana Limited chairman and Managing Director D Prabhakar Rao reviewed the power supply position in the State in general and twin cities in particular with the senior officials here on Friday.

Rao clarifies that there was no shortage of power and that frequent interruptions were only on account of soaring temperature resulting in blasting of transformers. However, action is being taken on a war-footing to replace them and restore power supply, he said. However, there is no respite yet for the people.

Residential areas and colonies in Hyderabad, including those in posh localities like Banjara Hill and Madhapur, Hi-Tec City areas, witnessed power cuts since Thursday afternoon. People complained that the power cuts lasted from 30 minutes to 2 hours at a stretch. “In fact, the power cuts had made people in many areas spend sleepless nights as the shutdown was witnessed almost every half an hour or so during nights.

The situation was no better during day time, too. In the city alone, more than 2,000 complaints were lodged by colony associations. In villages , towns and district headquarters power cuts range from 3 to 5 hours,” officials said. The officials of Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) told The Hans India that about 20 per cent of the nearly one lakh transformers have become dysfunctional after the temperatures soared to 42 degree Celsius.

Leakage of the insulting oil used in the transformers due to high temperatures was the main reason for glitches, the officials said and added that overload due to high power consuming devices like air conditions and fans was another reason for the failure of transformers.

In some areas in districts, faulty electric lines and the use of low quality fuse wires are compounding the problem. The officials maintain that the utilities are supplying required power. Power demand has touched 5,200 MW in the State and it is 2,300 MW in Hyderabad. Shortage of manpower and lack of adequate new transformers are delaying replacement of failed equipment. The utilities urged the government to appoint skilled workers on a temporary basis to attend to breakdowns on a war-footing.