Chandigarh faced a major power crisis on January 23 as relentless rain and fierce winds battered the city’s electricity infrastructure. The extreme weather led to widespread outages, plunging numerous sectors into darkness and disrupting daily life for thousands of residents.
High-speed gusts shook overhead power lines, causing line-to-line faults, snapped wires, and damage to several poles. Fallen trees and branches compounded the chaos, crashing onto electrical lines and bringing down poles across the city. Officials recorded 182 breakdowns and 34 transient faults throughout the day, with most incidents linked to uprooted trees. In total, 37 poles were destroyed.
Power feeders at 11kV, 33kV, and 66kV levels tripped repeatedly due to the storm’s fury. Critical circuits from Mohali to Sector-39 failed, cutting supply to key areas like Sector-39, Sector-12, and Water Works. Persistent cloud cover for 94% of the day, coupled with low visibility, hampered fault detection and repair efforts. Waterlogging and slippery terrain further delayed field teams’ access to affected sites.
Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) sprang into action with an emergency response protocol. Teams executed load changeovers and deployed multiple patrol units despite the hazardous conditions. Working tirelessly through the downpour, they restored power to most areas, though remote and isolated spots required extended efforts.
The most severe disruptions hit the 33kV Sector-37 Grid Sub-Station, Sector-34, and Sector-18. Tree obstructions along feeder routes triggered repeated faults. CPDL crews conducted meticulous patrolling, sectional isolations, tree trimming, and repairs. Power was gradually reinstated in phases to ensure system stability and safety.
CPDL assures residents that restoration is progressing safely and methodically. Normal supply is expected to resume shortly in all affected zones. The utility urges citizens to cooperate during repairs and exercise patience. Reaffirming its commitment, CPDL vows to deliver reliable and secure electricity amid challenging circumstances.