Mohali District Paralyzed by Severe Storm: Power Infrastructure Severely Damaged
A day of severe disruption unfolded across Mohali district on Friday as strong winds accompanied by rain swept through the region, leaving a trail of destruction marked by uprooted trees, collapsed electricity poles, and prolonged power cuts that affected thousands of residents.
Widespread Damage to Power Infrastructure
Officials reported that powerful gusts uprooted trees at multiple locations throughout the district. Many of these trees crashed onto roads and overhead electricity lines, triggering extensive damage to the power infrastructure. This resulted in a near-total power outage in several parts of Mohali city and adjoining areas, with restoration efforts stretching throughout the day due to the significant scale of the destruction.
The worst-affected areas in Mohali included phases 1, 2, 3, and 7, along with several adjoining sectors, where electricity supply remained suspended for most of the day. In these localities, uprooted trees and fallen electricity poles caused overhead lines to snap, leaving large swathes of residential areas without power for extended hours.
Restoration Efforts and Ongoing Challenges
A senior Powercom official stated that restoration work commenced as soon as weather conditions allowed. "By around 6pm, electricity supply in most parts of the city was restored. However, our teams are working continuously to repair damaged poles and restore power connections to individual houses where local faults persist," the official explained.
The disruption extended beyond Mohali city limits. In Kharar, officials noted that the situation remained challenging until late evening due to the high volume of complaints received following the storm. By approximately 6:30pm, more than 1,200 registered complaints related to power outages and damaged electricity lines were still pending. Repair teams were deployed across multiple locations to address the backlog and restore normalcy.
Major Grid Fault in Zirakpur
Zirakpur witnessed significant disruption after strong winds affected a 66 kV power grid, leading to a complete shutdown of electricity supply across the area. Officials indicated that the grid fault resulted in power cuts for almost the entire day, with restoration efforts continuing as teams worked to stabilize the system and prevent further damage.
Residents Face Dual Crisis: Power and Water Shortages
Residents in several affected areas reported that the power outage also disrupted water supply, as pumping systems could not function during the prolonged electricity cuts. A Sector 71 resident described how the situation deteriorated as the day progressed. "There was no electricity until 5:30pm, and water supply was also hit. Everything came to a standstill," the resident lamented.
Manjot, a resident of Phase 7, recounted the startling intensity of the wind. "It wasn't just the usual rain. The wind was so strong that you could hear poles and trees cracking. Within minutes, electricity across the area was gone," Manjot said, highlighting the rapid onset of the crisis.
Safety Concerns and Structural Damage
In Sector 113, residents of a housing society reported a serious safety concern after tiles fell from the exterior walls of a four-floor residential building. According to residents, tiles dislodged from the upper floors and crashed into common areas on the premises, endangering people and parked vehicles.
A society resident emphasized the visible danger during the storm. "When the wind picked up, multiple tiles started coming off the fourth floor, and this wasn't the first time. Anyone walking or driving below was at risk," the resident stated, calling attention to ongoing structural vulnerabilities.
Official Response and Precautions
Officials confirmed that damage assessment was ongoing and restoration work would continue wherever required. Residents were advised to remain cautious during periods of strong wind and rain, particularly in areas where trees or electricity infrastructure might still be unstable. The authorities urged the public to report any hazards promptly to ensure swift action and prevent further incidents.
