KARACHI: Various parts of the megacity faced power outages on Wednesday due to tripping in the extra high voltage (EHV) transmission line which caused a disconnection between Karachi-Electric (KE) and National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) circuits.

The tripping was caused by a lightning strike on the NTDC’s 220 kV Jamshoro circuit, said KE.

Power division also took to twitter saying “at 16:09 hours lightening stroke occurred on 220kV switchyard of Jamshoro grid station damaging isolator D8Q11 relating to 220kV Jamshoro - Tando Muhammad Khan cct # 1. At 16:46 hours circuits was restored.” KE said its power plants continued to operate in island mode which enabled swift restoration of power to Karachi. Restoration efforts were further expedited following reconnection between KE and National Grid. KE teams were able to quickly restore power supply to all grids and began energizing the areas associated with these grids, as well.

KE spokesperson commented on the efforts, stating,‘Our connection with the National Transmission Despatch Company (NTDC) has been completely restored. Power supply to major parts of the city has also been completely reinstated. We are gradually energizing feeders in various localities. Our ground teams are available to rectify any localized fault. Reports of sporadic rain across the city also slowed our progress as we had to initiate our safety protocols. Areas with high incidences of theft and illegal usage of electricity through kundas were kept off for safety reasons until ground teams provided clearance.” K-Electric has restored power supply to various strategic locations including KWSB pumping stations and Karachi Airport. Restored areas included but were not limited to Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Defence Housing Authority, Federal B Area, Baloch Colony, KDA, Orangi Town, Surjani, Azizabad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Saddar, Landhi, Baldia, and Malir.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021