Following flash floods, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is regulating the power supply in various sections under Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad districts. As a safety measure, around 800 transformers in the districts have been switched off, which will have a direct impact on around 85,000 consumers.
Though no special emergency response teams have been constituted, KSEB officials say their complete staff are staying alert and ready for round-the-clock service to address emergency situations. Spot support will be given to all who contact the board through the helpline 1912, in case of supply line damage or other emergency circumstances.
Two senior KSEB engineers are constantly monitoring the water-level of the Kakkayam dam and the related safety arrangements in case of opening the shutters. They also coordinate with the State-level authorities for scientific management of the crisis.
KSEB engineers have also come up with safety instructions to the public through the social media to prevent chances of electrocutions. Consumers in flood-hit areas have been advised to switch off the power supply in water-logged buildings. They are requested to instantly pass information on noticing dangerous supply lines and active connections in vacated water-logged houses.
Uninterrupted supply
Efforts are on to ensure uninterrupted power supply in areas where disaster management operations are under way . KSEB is also cautious of taking the power supply regulations in such a way that it will not hit the communication facilities. In areas where the transformers are switched off, the engineers will ensure supply from the nearest functional transformers.
Steps have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply in major hospitals and areas where the District Collector is directly monitoring the disaster management activities. Emergency power supply arrangements will be made in all locations on getting the Collector’s direction.
“We are going through a very critical situation and the damage suffered by the KSEB at the beginning phase of the floods is₹3.35 crore in Kozhikode, Palakkad and Malappuram districts,” says KSEB Chief Engineer S. Parameswaran. The power regulation is a temporary arrangement taking into account the safety concerns and it will be reinstated soon after checking the weather conditions, he adds.