SRINAGAR: Electricity supply across Jammu region has been restored after torrential rains and flash floods on 25 and 26 August caused unprecedented damage to the power infrastructure, the Power Development Department (PDD) said.
Despite the collapse of several transmission towers, submergence of receiving stations and widespread disruption that left only 299 MW of power available against the normal demand of 1,050 MW, the department managed to restore 70 per cent of supply by 27 August and 92 per cent by the following evening.
The restoration was made possible through round-the-clock efforts by PDD teams working in coordination with central and state agencies, including NHPC, PGCIL, NHAI and the Police. Senior officers, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, monitored the operation closely and facilitated resource mobilisation from multiple agencies.
The heaviest damage was reported on transmission lines in difficult terrain, including the 132 kV line across the River Tawi and the 220 kV Barn–Kishanpur line, which supply power to districts such as Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and Jammu. Towers collapsed in cascading fashion, causing blackouts and panic across the region.
To address the crisis, emergency restoration systems (ERS) were deployed for rapid replacement of towers, while high-strength cranes and specialised equipment were used to restring conductors. In areas where roads were washed away, workers carried materials on foot over steep slopes.
The distribution sector was equally hit, with only 364 of 1,349 feeders functional and nearly 19,000 distribution transformers affected. Nevertheless, power was restored to essential facilities—including defence installations, hospitals, AIIMS Jammu and Jal Shakti—on the first day of disruption.
Generation also suffered, with all hydroelectric projects of JKSPDC in Jammu division forced to shut down due to flooding, damaged access roads and high silt levels. The 900 MW Baglihar Hydroelectric Project was brought back online within 60 hours through continuous work by JKSPDC teams, restoring much-needed capacity.
While temporary restoration has been completed, officials cautioned that permanent repair of towers, poles and substation equipment may take several months. Parallel assessments have already been initiated to plan long-term restoration once weather conditions improve.
PDD officials credited the “extraordinary dedication” of their workforce and the timely support of central agencies for turning “an impossible task into a success story” for the region.
