Preliminary reports suggest ₹5–6 Cr damage to power infrastructure; assessment underway
Srinagar, Jan 23 (KNS): Power supply across large parts of Kashmir has been largely restored following disruption caused by gusty winds and heavy snowfall, Managing Director KPDCL Mehmood Ahmad Shah said on Friday.
Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), he said the power system is now “largely operational,” with Srinagar, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the Valley’s total energy consumption witnessing restoration of about 95 to 96 percent, while all cross valley around 65 per cent of the system has been restored and most people are receiving near-normal power supply,” he said.
He said that normally the load during this period remains around 1700 to 1800 megawatts, while nearly 1100 megawatts is currently being supplied to consumers. “This clearly indicates that around 65 per cent of the system has been restored and most people are receiving near-normal power supply.
Shah said that restoration in far-flung and snow-bound areas, where heavy snowfall has led to road closures, will begin from Friday as soon as access becomes possible. He added that snowfall is still continuing in some upper reaches, particularly in higher areas of Baramulla district, and restoration there will commence once conditions permit movement of teams.
He said the major impact on the power infrastructure was caused not just by snowfall but by the intense windstorm, “an intensity witnessed after many years.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel” “Our teams were already on alert, and from early morning, right from the crack of dawn ground staff was deployed in the field. Due to their continuous efforts, substantial restoration was achieved within a single day,” he said.
Shah said that the Power Department has now developed a system that enables immediate restoration, and the earlier situation of prolonged outages lasting several days no longer exists. “Power supply during this winter and the previous winter has been significantly better. Due to ongoing hardening works, not only have supply hours increased, but the quality of power has also improved,” he said, adding that by 2026, most areas are expected to receive much better power supply.
On damage assessment, Shah said preliminary reports estimate losses of around ?5–6 crore due to damage to poles and transmission lines, though detailed assessments are still underway in several areas. “Once all data is consolidated, the final figures will be shared with the government,” he said.
He also said the department remains well-prepared for winter conditions with adequate buffer stock, ensuring immediate restoration without dependence on market procurement. Appreciating the efforts of ground staff, he said restoration is possible only because of their dedication and hard work, and providing them with safety gear remains a continuous process, he added. (KNS)