Srinagar, January 24: Heavy snowfall, incessant rainfall, and severe gusty winds disrupted power supply across large parts of the Kashmir Valley, causing extensive damage to the electrical infrastructure. The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has managed to restore nearly 80 per cent of the affected power network, while restoration efforts continue on a war footing in the worst-hit districts.
According to an official statement by KPDCL, the power demand in the Valley witnessed an unprecedented decline due to the extreme weather conditions. The load dropped sharply to 93 MW around 10:00 PM on the intervening night of January 22 and 23, against the normal average running load of approximately 1,650 MW. The network remained live until late evening when multiple faults occurred due to damage to 33 kV and 11 kV feeders triggered by high-speed winds and heavy snowfall.
The situation was further aggravated as the rooftops of houses were blown off and landed on overhead power lines, damaging the infrastructure and complicating restoration efforts. At the sub-transmission level, 103 out of 135 33 kV lines were reported down or under fault, leaving only about 24 per cent of the network functional at that stage. Similarly, at the distribution level, 1,275 out of 1,302 11 kV feeders were down till early morning.
Following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), restoration work began in the early hours and was closely monitored at all levels under the leadership of the Managing Director and Chief Engineer, with Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers overseeing field operations. By 6:00 PM, restoration efforts gained significant momentum, with nearly 80 per cent of the network recharged and a load of 1,050 MW recorded by the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC). Priority was given to essential installations.
The heavy snowfall and strong winds have severely impacted the electrical infrastructure in districts such as Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, and Budgam. Snow accumulation of nearly 4.5 feet in higher reaches has hampered vehicular movement, further delaying restoration work. Among the worst-affected areas are DH Pora, Kund, Malwan, and Branell-Lammar in Kulgam; Sedow, Reshnagri, Herpora, Kaprain, and Kuch Dora in Shopian; and Khanshab, Beerwa, Doodhpathri, and Yousmarg in Budgam.
Additionally, damage to a transmission tower at Sheeri in Delina on the 132 kV Delina–LJHP transmission line has posed further challenges. The Jammu and Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Limited (JKPTCL) is working to restore the line by erecting an Emergency Restoration System (ERS).
KPDCL has reiterated its commitment to restoring power supply to all affected areas at the earliest. Men and machinery have been mobilised across the Valley, and field teams continue to work tirelessly under harsh weather conditions to ensure the complete restoration of the power supply by the end of the day.
