Over 200 feeders in flood-hit areas restored: Power Division

The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) reported on Friday that recent floods damaged more than 200 feeders. However, power companies have restored most of the feeders while efforts continue to fully energise the remaining grids and lines in affected areas.

So far, 168 feeders have been restored in Punjab and 81 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with several still partially functional, the ministry said.

Over 46 feeders remain under partial restoration in Lahore, with full recovery is expected between August 31 and September 1.

Temporary repairs have been carried out in North Waziristan while full restoration is expected by September 5.

Read: Scattered showers hit Karachi amid ongoing power outages

The Power Division said that field teams of all DISCOs (Electricity Distribution Companies) are working round-the-clock to restore the power supply and assured that electricity in affected areas would be fully revived at the earliest.

In july, when devastating spell of torrential rain left the entire city of Rawalpindi submerged, a prolonged 19-hour power outage crippled the city, rendering the water supply system inoperative.

Heavy rains also hit Karachi last week, which led to power outages across several neighbourhoods, with several localities remained without electricity for more than 50 hours. The electricity was suspended at around 2:30pm on August 19 following the rains.

Read more: DISCOs told to ensure continuous power supply

Water supply was also affected due to power outage leaving many neighbourhoods with little or no water.

Residents of the affected areas staged sit-in protests outside the K-Electric offices, chanting slogans and criticising the power utility’s lack of response. Demonstrators claimed power had not been restored in Model Colony, Bostan Society, Amirabad and adjacent areas, despite repeated complaints.

Meanwhile, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) teams worked day and night to clear all affected areas, which he inspected.

He added that timely efforts and swift performance of the staff ensured drainage of rainwater.