132 KV power supply restored in J-K's Poonch after 10 days following flood-triggered disruption
Poonch, July 31
The critical 132 KV electricity grid supply has been safely restored in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district after ten consecutive days of disruption caused by severe flash floods and continuous heavy rainfall.
The power supply had been affected after heavy rains caused massive damage to the Power Development Department's (PDD) infrastructure. A major loss occurred between Rajouri and Thanna Mandi, where two or three towers were washed away; this disrupted the power supply for the entire Poonch district.
Speaking to ANI, Altaf Ahmad Khan, Incharge Executive Engineer (XEN) of the Power Development Department, said the recent spell of heavy rainfall had caused widespread damage to the department's infrastructure.
"The recent rains, specifically those on the 19th and the subsequent ones, caused massive damage to the PDD's infrastructure alongside other assets. A major loss occurred between Rajouri and Thanna Mandi, where two or three towers were washed away; this disrupted the power supply for the entire Poonch district," Khan said.
He said the department had earlier managed to restore power temporarily to ensure that emergency services continued to function despite the extensive damage to the transmission network.
Khan said PDD personnel worked round the clock to repair the damaged infrastructure and resume electricity supply. However, he noted that the temporary arrangement could not meet the electricity demand of the entire district as the available supply was insufficient to handle the full load.
He said the collapsed transmission towers have now been restored using an Emergency Restoration System (ERS), enabling the district to receive its full power allocation.
"However, there is good news: the towers that had collapsed have now been restored using an ERS, an Emergency Restoration System. Power has just been fully restored, meaning we will now receive the entire required load from this point forward and can handle the full load," Khan said.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and a subsequent cloudburst on July 19 triggered massive landslides that severely damaged the Thannamandi-DKG-Bufliaz Road, a key Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project vital for connecting the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with the Kashmir Valley.
The downpour triggered flash floods that washed away several stretches of the newly constructed road, culverts, and heavy trees at multiple locations between Thannamandi and Bufliaz.
The road remains closed for traffic even after 13 days, with vehicles being diverted through the BG (Bimber Gali) route.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Hats off to the engineers and workers who restored the towers in such difficult conditions! But this situation really highlights how fragile our infrastructure is in border areas. We always talk about development but these regions need more attention, especially when it comes to disaster preparedness. Also, the Thannamandi-Bufliaz road being closed for 13 days is concerning - hope BRO fixes it quickly too.
Glad the power is back! But why does it always take so long for restoration? 10 days without electricity in the 21st century is a joke. The authorities should have had contingency plans ready, especially since heavy rains are predicted every year. Still, appreciative of the efforts made - those workers actually risked their lives in those hilly areas. 🙏
This is a reminder of how weather events can create cascading problems in remote regions. My family is from the west, and even we feel for the people of Poonch. The infrastructure resilience matters, and it's nice to see local administration acting quickly. Hope the road restoration also happens at the earliest.
The dedication of the PDD workers is truly commendable. Working in flood-affected areas, repairing towers, ensuring temporary power - this is real service to the nation. But I genuinely worry about the long-term stability. These ERS systems are temporary fixes, right? We need permanent solutions and maybe better materials for transmission towers in hilly terrain. But for now, relief for the people of Poonch! 🎉
Good news but let's not forget the bigger picture - the Th
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