Ranchi: Electric poles were uprooted, conductors and other electrical equipment were damaged and giant trees tumbled on overhead power distribution lines as torrential rains and wind speeds clocking 40 to 50 kmph (kilometre per hour) lashed the state capital on Saturday, plunging Ranchi and its surrounding areas into darkness for several hours.
The first wave of the storm that lasted from 12.15pm to 1.45pm, brought some relief from the sweltering heat, though they caused widespread damage to power installations. Ranchi and its adjacent areas witnessed a second spell of torrential rains from 3.45pm to 5pm, delaying fault identification, repair and replacement works by Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (JBVNL) personnel and ruling out early resumption of power supplies.
At Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd. Colony, a giant tree tumbled on overhead power distribution lines. Another tree fell on overhead lines at Cheshire Home Road at Bariatu. At Daladili, some 11 kms away from Ranchi, an electric pole uprooted due to the strong winds, fell on the main road, sending passersby, scurrying to safety. At Bero, 31 kms away from Ranchi, several trees that tumbled on overhead power lines, uprooted electric poles and damaged power installations.
“High speed winds accompanied by torrential rains that lasted for nearly two hours today (on Saturday) afternoon caused widespread damage to power lines, resulting in outages. Our teams have been rushed to the affected areas to undertake patrolling in areas of the snapped power lines, identify faults and undertake necessary repairs. The required materials and spares are being made available to our repair crews.Though overcast skies along with intermittent rains are hampering the repair works, we have accepted the challenges head on,” PK Srivastava, the general manager of JBVNL, Ranchi told TOI.
Meanwhile, a tree that tumbled at Harmu near the JBVNL sub station, blocked the busy Harmu ByPass Road. Traffic policemen on duty rushed to the spot and with help of municipal workers, gave a helping hand to shift the fallen tree so that normal flow of traffic could be ensured. Another near the Jharkhand State Cricket Association stadium at Dhurwa.
The first wave of the storm that lasted from 12.15pm to 1.45pm, brought some relief from the sweltering heat, though they caused widespread damage to power installations. Ranchi and its adjacent areas witnessed a second spell of torrential rains from 3.45pm to 5pm, delaying fault identification, repair and replacement works by Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (JBVNL) personnel and ruling out early resumption of power supplies.
At Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd. Colony, a giant tree tumbled on overhead power distribution lines. Another tree fell on overhead lines at Cheshire Home Road at Bariatu. At Daladili, some 11 kms away from Ranchi, an electric pole uprooted due to the strong winds, fell on the main road, sending passersby, scurrying to safety. At Bero, 31 kms away from Ranchi, several trees that tumbled on overhead power lines, uprooted electric poles and damaged power installations.
“High speed winds accompanied by torrential rains that lasted for nearly two hours today (on Saturday) afternoon caused widespread damage to power lines, resulting in outages. Our teams have been rushed to the affected areas to undertake patrolling in areas of the snapped power lines, identify faults and undertake necessary repairs. The required materials and spares are being made available to our repair crews.Though overcast skies along with intermittent rains are hampering the repair works, we have accepted the challenges head on,” PK Srivastava, the general manager of JBVNL, Ranchi told TOI.
Meanwhile, a tree that tumbled at Harmu near the JBVNL sub station, blocked the busy Harmu ByPass Road. Traffic policemen on duty rushed to the spot and with help of municipal workers, gave a helping hand to shift the fallen tree so that normal flow of traffic could be ensured. Another near the Jharkhand State Cricket Association stadium at Dhurwa.