Thunderstorm causes power snags in city

Varanasi: Power supply was disrupted as many electric poles, wires and equipment at power sub-stations were damaged by thunderstrorm and rains in late night hours on Friday. Power supply could be restored in many localities after 4 pm on Saturday.
Thunderstorm hit the city after midnight on Friday. hit by the storm many big trees in Cantonment area were uprooted and branches of many trees, roadside hoardings and tin sheds were also found broken or lying on roads on Saturday morning.Maximum damage was caused to electric poles, wires and power equipment.
Power from Sahupuri feeder is supplied to Bhikharipur through two circuits. While one of the circuits is lying closed for past many days for repair due to which power to sub-stations linked with Bhikharipur feeder is being supplied through single circuit. According to executive engineers of urban electricity distribution divisions, the only function circuit between these two feeders was also damaged. Maximum damages were evident between Bhikharipur and Bhelupur. The power officials succeeded in restoring power supply from Bhelupur sub-station at 7.30 am on Saturday while Sankuldharan power sub-station was made functional at around 10 am.
Major problem was faced in city south localities. A big tree fell down in Cantonment area damaging electric wires. The power supply from Chowkaghat sub-station could be restored after 12 noon. Power supply from Kashi Vidyapeeth and Varanasi Municipal Corporation sub-station was resumed after 3 pm. Falling of branches on overhead wires and snag in equipment like insulators kept power supply disrupted from Ledhupur-Machhodari line till 1 pm. The cemented electric poles were damaged between Bhagwanpur and Dhaphi. The repair works was completed by 11 pm but the power supply in the areas like Kabirnagar could be restored by 4 pm only.
Condition in trans-Varuna localities was not better, though the power supply from Pannalal sub-station was restarted at early morning, but, Tarna, Badalalpur, Orderly Bazar and Pandeypur areas remained without power till 9.30 am. Major damaged were also caused to overhead wires between Ahspur and Ledhupur due to which power supply remained affected in the areas concerned till 9.30 am.