A sudden electricity breakdown here on early Sunday plunged various areas of the city into darkness. 30 percent area of the city experienced this breakdown. The loss of electricity has been pointed to tripping of transmission line which caused the breakdown in supply of electricity from more than 10 grid stations.
According to K-Electric, the power supply system collapsed due to tripping of 220 KV transmission line in Bin Qasim Thermal Power Plant, affecting 10 of 64 grid stations.
It claimed that 99% humidity in the air caused the tripping, adding that teams were working on the fault to restore the power supply.
As a result of the power failure, the electricity supply was disconnect to city's Industrial Zone, Port Qasim, Pakistan Steel Mills, Landhi, Korangi, Karachi airport, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Bhains Colony, Quaidabad, Malir, Liaquatabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Nazimabad, Federal B.Area, Buffer Zone, Shadman, PECHS and some areas of Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
K-Electric Supply Company stated that the technical problems in the grid stations will be resolved quickly after which the electricity supply will be restored.
This was the third consecutive blackout hit Karachi on Sunday's wee hours crippling life during Sehri. Protest demonstrations by citizens were also reported in many areas.
Karachiites are facing acute water shortage as the prolonged power breakdown suspended power supply to pumping stations. According to Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) spokesman, the power breakdown has affected 206 million gallon water supply to city from Dhabeji and Pepri pumping stations.-INP
According to a press release the outage in Karachi occurred due to a tripping on the Bin Qasim/Pipri 220 KV transmission line due to high humidity levels.
The NDTC transmission line faced a similar issue last night as the current humidity levels are up to 99 percent in the area of Pipri. Giving details the statement said that around Saturday night the 220kv BQ- Pipri Circuit-4 tripped due to high humidity. There was a breakage of earth wire which also fell on the other Circuit on same tower and tripped it as well. As a result the remaining circuits 1 and 2 also tripped.
With this, South side of KE network disconnected from North side of KE network.
Adding further details the press statement said that following the tripping of the circuits the Bin Qasim power station 2 also tripped, however BQ1 units continued to dispatch.
North side grid were not connected to National grid due to breakdown of 500kv circuits between Dadu and Jamshoroo which occurred on the 7th of July. KE was also unable to connect South side BQ generation with North side NTDC generation as two critical NTDC 500kv circuits (Hubco-Jamshoro and NKI-Jamshoro) also tripped (due to high humidity) rendering North side system even more vulnerable.
High levels of humidity were a hindrance in the quick restoration process; heavy winds in vast fields deposit excessive dust residue on transmission lines which due to humidity turns into grimy clay like substance. The moist soil cannot be removed until the heat of the sun dries the soil for it to turn into dust again. KE team using its resources at best combat high humidity conditions in restoring power supply to the citizens of Karachi.
KE spokesperson also added, 'K-Electric has made every effort to rapidly resume power and restored it in the morning and is committed to uphold its promise of quality services in challenging circumstances such as these.