Nagpur: Amid a challenging combination of a statewide power sector strike and relentless rainfall across Nagpur district, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) demonstrated remarkable efficiency and public service commitment by maintaining an uninterrupted power supply.
Despite a one-day strike called by six out of twenty-three employee unions, coupled with flood-like conditions due to continuous downpours for the past three days, MSEDCL ensured that the electricity distribution network remained functional across the district through robust emergency planning and management.
Control Rooms Activated, Contingency Workforce Deployed
MSEDCL set up dedicated control rooms at regional, circle, division, and sub-division levels to monitor and manage power supply disruptions. Hourly updates were relayed to senior officers, enabling swift decision-making and troubleshooting.
To ensure operational continuity, temporary deployment of non-striking employees, outsourced personnel, and contractor staff was arranged at local offices and substations. Additional manpower was requested where required, with vehicle support and necessary logistics swiftly provided. An adequate stock of transformers, oil, electric wires, cables, and poles was maintained across offices, and contractors were put on alert.
Critical Services Prioritized
Special care was taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity to essential services such as water supply schemes, hospitals, mobile towers, and government offices, along with residential consumers. In areas that faced power disruptions, backfeed and alternate supply routes were activated immediately to restore electricity.
Heavy Rainfall Poses Operational Hurdles
Over the past few days, heavy rains across Nagpur and the wider Vidarbha region have led to multiple challenges, including uprooted trees and waterlogging in low-lying areas, affecting power infrastructure. Despite a shortage of manpower, MSEDCL engineers worked under difficult conditions to keep the grid running safely.
Some 33kV lines and transformers in Congress Nagar, Mahal, Gandhibagh, Butibori, and Civil Lines areas suffered rain-induced damage. In certain flood-affected low-lying zones, substation and transformer supply had to be temporarily suspended, but alternate supply systems were promptly activated to minimize inconvenience.
Flood Precautionary Shutdowns
In the interest of safety, power supply was proactively shut down at the 33kV substations in Nara, Sutgirni, Wathoda, Kanhan Water Works, and the 11kV Manewada substation due to water accumulation. Once floodwaters receded, normal operations were resumed. Additionally, rising water levels of the Pohra River near Kamal Krist Housing Society in Pipla (Hudkeshwar) and flood impact in Mauda subdivision led to precautionary power outages affecting 30 villages. Isolated disruptions were also reported from Katol, Saoner, and Umred divisions due to flooding.
Strike Received Limited Support
The employee strike saw limited participation. Only 40.06% of total employees across Nagpur district joined the strike, with 43.62% in Nagpur Urban Division, 33.40% in Nagpur Rural, and 43.18% in Nagpur Circle.
A Commendable Effort in Crisis
Despite adverse weather and the employee strike, MSEDCL’s preparedness, swift response, and dedication to public service stood out. The utility’s ability to minimize disruptions in such conditions was made possible due to strong internal coordination, citizen cooperation, and the unwavering efforts of on-ground staff.
