Power supply takes severe hit in East and North Sikkim

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: The severe windstorm of Saturday night disrupted power supply to parts of East and North district and could take up to a week to restore in some areas, confirmed Power Secretary PB Subba today, adding that the high velocity windstorm lashed not only the capital but also areas as far north as Lachung.
The exact scale of damage to the power supply infrastructure is yet to be ascertained for North district with the concerned officials being to venture out on the field only after wind subsided around noon.
The officials are now working on a war footing to normalize power supply. The Power Secretary informs that a 66/11 KV transformer at 5th Mile Tadong was damaged last night and this has affected power supply to Deorali, Tadong and Gangtok town areas. The Department is working to repair the transformer and this process is projected to take two more days.
Power supply to North Sikkim from Gangtok has been completely disrupted due to a fault in the 66 KV transmission line and will be restored only after rectification of fault, the Power Secretary states.
Additional District Collector [North], Raj Yadav, when contacted, informs that the windstorm disconnected the entire North district from power supply which will take another three days to restore.
Officials details that extensive damage has been caused to the 11 KV transmission line and LT distribution across North District. Most of the damage  was caused due to  collapse of trees   over power transmission and distribution lines damaging conductors, poles and insulators. Damage to power lines has been reported from Mangan, Pentok, Singhik, Manul, Ringhim, Upper Dzongu, Lower Dzongu, Lachen and Lachung.