Chandigarh Grapples with Massive Power Outages After Severe Storm
High-velocity winds and torrential rain wreaked havoc in Chandigarh on Friday, triggering a widespread power crisis across the city. The extreme weather conditions led to a staggering 182 power breakdowns and damaged 37 electric poles, plunging numerous sectors into darkness for several hours.
Residents Endure Prolonged Blackouts and Hardships
Strong winds reaching speeds of approximately 70 kmph, coupled with heavy rainfall, caused extensive damage to the city's electrical infrastructure. Electricity supply was severely affected in multiple sectors, with many residents reporting outages lasting between seven to eight hours at various locations.
Krishan Rathi, a resident of Sector 7, described the situation, stating, "Since the rainfall began today, there have been continuous power cuts. Hopefully, after the disruption caused by the weather, the electricity wing will resolve the issue at the earliest."
Rakesh Kumar from Sector 29 highlighted the additional difficulties faced by residents. "Trees fell on power lines early in the morning and electricity remained off for several hours. With waterlogging on roads and no power at home, it became extremely difficult, especially for elderly residents and children," he explained.
CPDL Reports Extensive Damage and Technical Challenges
According to officials from Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), the intense winds caused continuous conductor sway, resulting in line-to-line faults, snapping of conductors, and significant damage to poles at several locations. The primary reason for the disruptions was identified as tree uprooting and large branches falling onto overhead power lines.
Repeated tripping was reported on 11 kV, 33 kV, and 66 kV overhead feeders, affecting multiple sectors across the city. CPDL confirmed that the majority of faults recorded during the day were weather-induced and linked to vegetation-related obstructions.
Restoration Efforts Hampered by Adverse Conditions
Multiple field teams were deployed across Chandigarh to restore power supply, braving heavy rain and strong winds. While electricity was reinstated in most areas within hours, a few isolated pockets experienced longer outages due to the severity of the damage and difficult access.
Restoration efforts were further hampered by nearly 94 percent cloud cover, poor visibility, and waterlogged, slippery terrain. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds also caused the tripping of both incoming power circuits from Mohali to Sector 39, leading to outages in parts of Sector 39, Sector 12, Water Works, and PGIMER.
Recurring Issues and Calls for Accountability
Highlighting the recurring nature of such problems, R K Garg, president of the Second Innings Association and a Chandigarh resident, pointed out that residents had repeatedly warned authorities about the need for scientific pruning and regular tree audits before the monsoon and storm season.
"Despite memoranda submitted by RWAs highlighting vulnerable trees, accountability remains unclear, with no department owning responsibility for maintenance failures," he stated.
CPDL's Response and Assurance to Residents
CPDL officials said load changeover operations were initiated immediately, and teams were redeployed to stabilise supply in critical areas. Major technical challenges were reported at 33 kV grid substations in sectors 37, 34, and 18, where multiple tree obstructions along feeder routes caused repeated faults and prolonged outages.
Power supply was later restored in a phased and controlled manner to ensure system stability. Assuring residents, CPDL stated that electricity supply is being restored safely and systematically and shall normalise soon.
The storm also led to several roads across the city being blocked by fallen tree branches, disrupting traffic and delaying emergency services, including ambulances.
