Heavy showers: Haripur district plunges into darkness

PESCO officials said teams are working in different areas and the repairing should be complete by today

HARIPUR:

Windstorms accompanied by heavy showers lashed Haripur district on Sunday evening, disrupting power supply to different areas of the district. Police said several electricity poles and trees were uprooted by the unforgiving weather, suspending electricity supply to 200 villages in Sera-e-Nehmat Khan and 100 villages in Khanpur.

However, no loss of life was reported till the filing of this report. According to locals, power could not be restored to these areas even after 18 hours. When approached, Peshawar Electric Supply Company officials said teams are working in different areas and the repairing should be complete by Tuesday (today).

Also, the constant flow of rainwater caused the water level in Khanpur Dam to rise to 1,980.6ft, compelling authorities to open the spillways. According to an official, the total capacity of the facility is 1,982ft and constant forecasts of incoming showers have forced them to make room in the catchment area. He said around 6,500 cusecs of water will be released, reducing the level to 1,978ft. He added the spillways were opened around 4pm on Monday and will be closed within eight to 10 hours, releasing water into the Haro River.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2015.