SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Monday issued a public safety advisory and placed its field machinery on high alert following the India Meteorological Department’s forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across Kashmir.
The Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, said adverse weather could lead to uprooted trees, landslides, waterlogging and flooding, posing a serious risk to power infrastructure, including overhead power lines, transformers and electric poles. The utility warned that temporary power interruptions may be necessary in some areas to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency restoration works.
KPDCL urged people not to touch or go near electrical conductors, poles, transformers, feeder pillars or any other electrical installations during the inclement weather, warning that damaged infrastructure could become live due to current leakage. It said all fallen conductors and damaged poles should be treated as live and dangerous.
The advisory also asked residents to avoid waterlogged areas where electrical installations or overhead power lines are present and refrain from crossing flooded locations containing power infrastructure. Consumers were advised not to attempt electrical repairs during rainfall or while standing on wet surfaces. In case floodwater enters homes or commercial buildings, they should switch off the main power supply only if it can be done safely.
People living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas have been advised to remain vigilant, as waterlogging, soil erosion, falling trees and landslides could damage electrical infrastructure. KPDCL also cautioned the public against taking shelter beneath electric poles, transformers or overhead power lines during thunderstorms and lightning, and urged people to maintain a safe distance from overhead lines while operating machinery or pruning trees.
The corporation appealed to the public to immediately report snapped conductors, damaged poles, sparking, leaning electrical installations or any other hazardous conditions to the nearest KPDCL office. Consumers were also asked to cooperate with restoration teams by ensuring unhindered access to electrical installations.
Meanwhile, KPDCL directed all Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, Sub-Divisional Officers and field staff to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of the distribution network during the adverse weather.
Emergency response teams have been instructed to remain fully equipped with adequate manpower, vehicles, tools, safety gear, poles, conductors, transformers and other restoration materials. The utility said restoration of electricity to hospitals, healthcare institutions, water supply installations, communication facilities, security establishments and other essential services would be prioritised.
Field officers have also been asked to inspect vulnerable feeders, substations, transformers and overhead line corridors while adhering to safety protocols. They have been directed to coordinate closely with district administrations and other departments in the event of road blockages, landslides or fallen trees affecting power infrastructure.
KPDCL further instructed its subordinate offices to coordinate with designated nodal officer Hashmat Rasool Raina and provide hourly updates on feeder status during the period of inclement weather.
Major breakdowns, prolonged outages, collapse of electrical infrastructure or public safety incidents are to be reported immediately.
The corporation said consumers would be kept informed about prolonged outages, restoration work and safety precautions through all available communication platforms, and appealed to the public to remain vigilant and follow official safety advisories until the weather improves.
