Heavy rains lashed Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and its surrounding areas. Trees fell at various places, and waterlogging issues caused major disruption to the power system. Power supply in various locations was severely affected, including Kondhwa, Bhosari and Chakan areas.
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Kavita Sethia, a resident of Bhosari, said, "We are facing frequent power outages starting from May 20 after it started raining heavily. After filing a complaint when there was a power cut on May 20, the electricity was restored after 7am. However, since then, this area has frequently experienced power cuts. Live wires in our area can be seen casually lying near the electric meter box. It's dangerous. Recently, five stray dogs were electrocuted—four dogs in the Kharalwadi's Kamgarnagar area and one in Sant Tukaram Nagar—because of the unattended live wires lying on the footpath."
The MSEDCL carried out the repair work and restored the power supply.
"In Pune city, mainly the Kondhwa area was flooded due to heavy rains. Due to the fast-flowing water in this undulating area, water entered about 38 feeder pillars. As a precaution for power safety, the power supply of three power lines—Kondhwa, JK Park and Kumarapam—was shut down. Due to this, the power supply to about 38,000 consumers in the Kondhwa area was cut off. After the rain and water receded, the engineers and employees of MSEDCL started repair work on a war footing. The work of draining the water from the waterlogged feeder pillars and drying them was started. After that, the power supply in the area was started in phases by 6am," stated MSEDCL PRO Nishikant Raout.
Due to waterlogging in many places, the power lines were damaged. Also, trees and branches fell on power poles, causing wires to break. Due to this, power supply was disrupted in Maharshi Nagar, Market Yard, some parts of Prem Nagar, Mundhwa, Bund Garden, Fursungi, Kothrud, Shivne, Dhanori and Dhayari Phata areas. For the same reasons, power supply was disrupted in Talawade, Dehu village, Shelarvasti, Chikhali, Charholi, Dighi, Yamunanagar, Vitthalwadi, Rupi Nagar, Alandi Road, Indrayani Nagar, Chinchwad Station, Sant Nagar, Adarsh Nagar, Khadi Machine and Shantinagar. Power supply in all these areas was restored by late night after immediate repair work, said the official.
Aniket Dhanraje, a resident of Mundhwa, said, "At night on May 21, there was a power cut, and the power came back after 6 hours. Since then, there have been frequent power cuts. The authorities should be prepared before the arrival of the monsoon. With no power, I have to suffer a lot. Work comes to a standstill as I work from home."
The officials informed that the power cut was also seen in rural areas including Chakan and surrounding areas, where 10 high- and low-voltage electricity poles of MSEDCL collapsed. Due to this, power supply was disrupted in Chakan, Kuruli, Nighoje, Sara City, Nanekarwadi, Mhalunge, and Ambethan areas. It was restored in phases by the morning of May 22.
"We have made a toll-free number available 24 hours for the residents. If there's any power supply disruption or any kind of complaint, or to inquire about information, people can reach out to 1912 or 1800-212-3435 or 1800-233-3435. Every complaint of the customer is recorded on these toll-free numbers and is immediately reported to the concerned engineers and employees through SMS. Along with this, to complain about power supply disruption, the facility of giving a missed call to 022-50897100 from the registered mobile number or typing the message NOPOWER <customer number> from the mobile and sending it to 9930399303 is available."
