Hubballi
Heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods have caused extensive damage to power infrastructure across the seven districts served by the Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM), resulting in losses estimated at Rs 9.83 crore.
According to HESCOM, a total of 9,764 electricity poles, 276 distribution transformers and 49.38 km of power lines were damaged between April and July 22. Belagavi recorded the highest damage, with 2,153 poles and 98 transformers affected, resulting in losses of around Rs 2.59 crore.
Uttara Kannada reported 2,035 damaged poles, followed by Haveri with 1,369, Bagalkot with 1,307, Dharwad with 1,160, Vijayapura with 1,112 and Gadag with 628. Among the transformers, Dharwad reported 82 damaged units, while Belagavi recorded 98. Bagalkot also reported significant damage to power lines, with around 40.23 km affected.
The severe weather also triggered a sharp rise in consumer complaints. Between June 30 and July 22, the HESCOM helpline received 37,380 complaints related to power disruptions and other issues. Officials said most complaints were addressed promptly, with 36,622 complaints resolved and the remaining cases being processed.
HESCOM Chairman Azeempeer Khadri said employees were working on a war footing to restore power supply. Hydraulic vehicles are being used to repair damaged infrastructure, while generators and night-time operations have helped reduce prolonged outages. In Hubballi city, around 100 workers were deployed for several days in areas including Gokul Road and Vidyanagar to restore supply.
Khadri said complaints generally increase during the rainy season because falling trees, damaged lines and technical faults frequently disrupt electricity. Around 30 to 40 employees are working in two shifts around the clock to handle calls received through the 1912 helpline.
Earlier, different electricity supply companies had separate helpline numbers. However, consumers across Karnataka can now use the single 1912 helpline to register electricity-related complaints with their respective distribution companies.
HESCOM Reports Rs 9.83 Crore Damage
- Total Losses: Severe weather caused Rs 9.83 crore in damages across seven districts.
- Infrastructure Impact: A total of 9,764 poles, 276 transformers, and 49.38 km of power lines were affected between April and July 22.
- Hardest Hit: Belagavi recorded the highest losses at Rs 2.59 crore, impacting 2,153 poles and 98 transformers.
- Consumer Helpline: HESCOM received 37,380 disruption complaints between June 30 and July 22, successfully resolving 36,622 of them.
- District Breakdown:
- Uttara Kannada: 2,035 poles
- Haveri: 1,369 poles
- Bagalkot: 1,307 poles (along with 40.23 km of power lines)
- Dharwad: 1,160 poles and 82 transformers
- Vijayapura: 1,112 poles
- Gadag: 628 poles