Gusty Winds Cause Power Disruptions and Infrastructure Damage in Lucknow
On Tuesday evening, Lucknow was hit by powerful gusty winds, leading to significant disruptions in the city's power supply and causing damage to critical infrastructure. The adverse weather conditions forced authorities to implement precautionary power shutdowns across multiple areas to mitigate safety risks.
Widespread Power Outages Across Key Zones
Officials from the Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (MVVNL) reported that numerous feeders in Gomti Nagar, Jankipuram, Amausi, and central zones were severely affected. The strong winds resulted in breakdowns and posed serious safety hazards, necessitating immediate action to prevent accidents.
Electricity supply from the Viraj Khand substation in Gomti Nagar was disrupted starting at 6:47 pm due to a breakdown. This impacted feeders serving Vastu, Vikalp, Vijayanta, Vibhav, and Vikrant Khands, as well as both new and old residential blocks. Additionally, the Omega and UPSIDC substations switched off their 11 kV feeders, while the Laulai feeder from the Kamta substation experienced a complete breakdown.
Specific Incidents and Safety Measures
In Vipin Khand, the Dayal feeder remained affected for approximately one hour, and the Vastu Khand feeder from the Viraj Khand substation was disrupted for 90 minutes. A potentially serious accident was narrowly avoided near the Lohia Park power house in Gomti Nagar when a tree fell onto a moving vehicle, highlighting the dangers posed by the windy conditions.
In the Jankipuram zone, all outgoing feeders from Subhash Park (Mahanagar), ITI Aliganj, GSI, and Priyadarshini substations were temporarily shut down. Breakdowns were also reported at the Bhikhampur and GPRA substations due to damaged conductors, and an electric pole tilted near the Khadra TG Hostel, further complicating the situation.
Repair Efforts and Official Statements
Field teams were promptly deployed to conduct repair work across the affected areas. Reports indicated that in several locations, power poles had tilted and trees had fallen, exacerbating the damage. An MVVNL official explained, "Temporary shutdowns were necessary to prevent electrocution and further damage during high wind conditions. Supply was restored once weather conditions stabilised and safety checks were completed." This proactive approach helped ensure public safety while addressing the infrastructure challenges caused by the gusty winds.
