Goa: All Covid hospitals given power backup, says chief minister Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: A ferocious Cyclone Tauktae hit Goa with an intensity barely seen in the tiny state's recent history, bringing down power supply in many parts of the beleaguered state, with several pockets going powerless for over 15 hours and counting.
The state’s dependence on overhead power lines resulted in the strong cyclonic winds uprooting electricity poles and trees, tripping both high-tension and low-tension lines, and throwing normal life out of gear. The unrelenting cyclone also slowed down the work of power restoration in many parts, with continuous winds, powerful gusts and heavy rain hampering the department’s work.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant told reporters on Sunday that it would take two days for power supply to be completely restored throughout the state. The worst affected areas were Bardez in North Goa and Mormugao in South Goa.
Goa Medical College (GMC) too suffered a 15-minute power outage, Sawant said, adding that all Covid hospitals were provided backup generators.
Pre-empting a situation like this, the electricity department had engaged 250 workers through all available contractors across Goa. Superintending engineer, North Goa, Stephen Fernandes told TOI that despite this, the department was overwhelmed.
“Too many big problems have arisen simultaneously across the state," he said. "We are sorting them all out, but the strong winds and rain are not giving us any relief. We had already kept 250 people sourced from all contractors in Goa, and stationed them at all power sub-stations. We have now sought another 150 workers from Belgaum and Kolhapur, and are using whatever resources we have to ensure that power is restored as soon as possible.”
With Covid-19 widespread in Goa, the department had to make do without several of its own line staffers.
“The situation is such that almost every family has someone or the other who has tested positive," a department engineer said. "We don’t have our full strength of line helpers and technicians, as either they or one of their family members are down with Covid. Although we have brought in additional labour, they have to be guided by our staff, who cannot be everywhere at the same time."
Residents in Mapusa, Siolim and Aldona were among those who told TOI that they were without power supply for 20 hours since early Sunday , and in Old Goa, for 24 hours. "Many of us have stocked up on fish and meats during the lockdown. We fear the worst," a Siolim resident said.
Similar outages were also seen in Ponda and Valpoi (where around 50 poles were damaged), Bicholim and other places. Poles were not only broken but uprooted. Further inconveniencing citizens were the water problems they faced as a result of the power problems.