Rains, gusty winds cause over Rs 30 crore damage to power infrastructure across Karnataka
Dharwad: Heavy rains and gusty winds over the past two months have severely damaged power infrastructure across Kittur-Karnataka, Kalyana-Karnataka, and Coastal Karnataka, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 30 crore to regional electricity supply companies — HESCOM, GESCOM, and MESCOM.
According to a report cited by Deccan Herald on Tuesday, MESCOM (responsible for electricity distribution in Coastal Karnataka) reported the damage of over 5,050 electric poles and the bursting of 137 transformers. More than 253 km of power lines were disrupted, leaving several areas in the coastal belt facing persistent power outages amid ongoing heavy rainfall and high-speed winds.
HESCOM reported infrastructure losses of Rs 6.07 crore between May and June. Over 4,600 electricity poles and 214 transformers were damaged across its seven divisions due to rain-induced flooding and lightning. Dharwad district alone accounted for 613 damaged poles and 28 transformers, while Uttara Kannada — one of the worst-hit regions — reported 2,128 fallen poles and 142 damaged transformers. In Gadag district, 284 electricity poles were uprooted.
GESCOM has reported extensive damage across its jurisdiction. The company reportedly recorded over 7,544 electric poles and 498 transformers damaged over the last two months. Kalaburagi City was among the worst affected, with 2,060 poles and 110 transformers impacted. In Bidar, 1,190 poles and 150 transformers were damaged, while over 65 km of power lines collapsed across the region.
“In urban areas, damaged transformers are replaced within 24 hours, while in rural areas, the process takes up to 72 hours. However, immediate repair becomes difficult if a large number of poles are affected or if the damage occurs at night. We stock extra poles and transformers during the monsoon to ensure quicker restoration,” DH quoted GESCOM Managing Director Ravindra Karlingannavar as saying.
Meanwhile, residents in affected areas continue to face hardships. Narayan Bhat, a senior citizen and member of the HESCOM Users’ Committee from Heggara village in Ankola taluk, shared that recurring damage is common during the monsoon due to trees falling on electric lines and poles. “Once the monsoon sets in, villagers often go without electricity for a week to fifteen days, living cut off from the outside world. We’ve become used to this. Thankfully, with the recent installation of solar and UPS systems, the situation is slightly better than before,” he noted.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
