A severe storm swept through Chandigarh on Tuesday evening, causing significant damage to the city's power infrastructure and leaving several areas without electricity. The storm, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain, uprooted trees, damaged transformers, and snapped power lines, leading to widespread power outages.
Impact on Power Supply
The power supply was severely affected in many parts of the city, including sectors 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49. Residents reported that the electricity went off around 7 pm and had not been restored for several hours. The Chandigarh Electricity Department received numerous complaints from affected residents.
Restoration Efforts
The authorities swung into action immediately after the storm subsided. Teams from the electricity department were deployed to restore power supply at the earliest. However, the restoration process was hampered by the widespread damage and debris on the roads. The department said that it was working on a war footing to restore electricity to all affected areas.
Challenges Faced
The storm also caused damage to the city's water supply system, with reports of waterlogging in some low-lying areas. The municipal corporation was working to clear the waterlogging and restore normalcy. The storm also uprooted several trees, blocking roads and causing traffic jams. The fire brigade and police were called in to clear the debris and ensure smooth traffic flow.
Government Response
The Chandigarh administration reviewed the situation and directed the concerned departments to expedite the restoration work. The Deputy Commissioner assured the residents that all necessary measures were being taken to restore power and water supply at the earliest. He also urged the residents to remain patient and cooperate with the authorities.
Precautionary Measures
In the wake of the storm, the administration advised residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. People were also advised to stay away from damaged power lines and report any such incidents to the authorities. The electricity department set up a control room to handle complaints and provide updates on the restoration work.
The storm was a reminder of the vulnerability of the city's infrastructure to extreme weather events. The authorities are likely to review the existing infrastructure and take steps to make it more resilient in the future. As of Wednesday morning, power supply had been restored in most areas, but some pockets were still without electricity. The department assured that restoration work would continue until all affected areas were fully powered.
