Rain, gusty winds take toll on MESCOM infrastructure in Dakshina Kannada

Rain, gusty winds take toll on MESCOM infrastructure in Dakshina Kannada

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 23, 2015 :  The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (MESCOM)  has incurred heavy losses  in the coastal and Malnad regions owing to the recent heavy rains accompanied by strong winds. Electricity infrastructure are the main casualty whenever there are gusty winds and reports state that  thousands of electric poles and hundreds of transformers have suffered damages.

According to sources, the estimated loss incurred  by MESCOM in DK District is  Rs 2.79 crore while  in Chikkamagaluru district the loss is put at Rs 4 crores. MESCOM Managing Director Chikkananjappa states that in Dakshina Kannada nearly 2,000 poles, 251 transformers and 227 km of power lines have been damaged. Several trees getting uprooted by strong winds  also add to the problem as the trees while landing on the ground, in turn also damage electric cables and poles.

MESCOM officials state that during monsoons the personnel have to be on alert round the   clock as frequent power breakdowns needs them  to be on the ground and they  also have the duty of averting electricity related mishaps as well as damage to electrical infrastructure.

The damage due to rains and wind in Chikkamagalur district is much more. Here over 6,400 electrical poles have been uprooted/ damaged; over 760 transformers damaged and nearly 540 km of power lines have been disrupted since April 1.