Officials blame overloading and crude heating devices
Srinagar, Nov 28 (KNS): With temperatures dipping sharply in north Kashmir, the Handwara division of the power department is facing a major strain on its electricity infrastructure, as nearly 70 transformers have gone out of service in November alone, leaving several areas in prolonged outages.
According to data accessed by Kashmir News Service (KNS), the division reported a total of 70 damaged transformers during the ongoing month, significantly disrupting power supply across villages under its jurisdiction.
The Handwara power division comprises two sub-divisions — Handwara and Langate. Officials said the Handwara sub-division recorded 42 damaged transformers, while the Langate sub-division reported 26 failures. Many of the affected localities have experienced repeated outages, especially during night hours when the electricity load tends to shoot up.
An official from the division, while confirming the figures, said that transformer failures have become a daily challenge since the onset of early winter. “On an average, two to three transformers are getting damaged every day. Overloading remains the primary reason, followed by frequent fluctuations and the widespread use of crude or unregulated heating appliances,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He added that the department is repairing the units on priority, but some transformers require longer time due to complex technical faults and shortage of components. “Where faults are minor, transformers are restored and returned within a few days. However, major breakdowns take more time because they require rewinding and other intricate repairs,” the official said.
Locals in parts of Handwara and Langate have expressed concern over the frequent power cuts and urged the authorities to upgrade the system ahead of peak winter. Residents said the lack of uninterrupted electricity during harsh weather makes daily life difficult, and the repeated transformer damage puts additional burden on households.
Officials maintained that they are trying to minimise outages but advised consumers to avoid excessive and unregulated load to prevent further breakdowns. “Without public cooperation, it becomes difficult to stabilise the system,” the official added.(KNS)