Light rain exposes fragile power distribution system

LAHORE:Yet another jolt to fragile power system has been delivered by light rain in less than a week in the City.

On Friday, around 200 feeders tripped in the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) region during the rain. Many areas were deprived of electricity due to abrupt feeder trips, causing hardship for the masses. Citizens faced severe inconvenience, especially during Friday prayers due to prolonged power outages, which also adversely affected water supply.

According to spokesperson for Lesco, work on power restoration was started as soon as the rain stopped as Lesco field staff has been put on high alert. In view of the bad weather, Lesco administration has appealed to the customers for cooperation. Lesco chief executive has issued a high alert in all circles and divisions.

Till afternoon, as per information shared by spokesperson, as many as 102 feeders were under fault. The details of circle wise pending under-fault feeders were as under: 1st circle: 16, 2nd circle: 17, 3rd Circle: 17, 4th Circle: 02, 5th Circle: 15, 6th circle: 12, 7th Circle: 19, 8th Circle: 03, Model Division: 03.

An intermittent light rain accompanied by a cold wind in the provincial metropolis on Friday brought the mercury considerably down forcing people to remain indoors. The rain started in the morning and continued for more than three hours with intervals.

A light rain was also reported from a few places in adjacent areas of the city. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) officials said a westerly wave is affecting northeastern areas of the country and under the influence of this system, mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while very cold in hilly areas during morning/night hours.

While frost is also likely in upper parts during morning hours. Smog/ moderate to dense fog (in patches) is likely to persist in most plain areas of Punjab during morning/night hours.

In the City, minimum temperature dropped to 9°C while maximum could not cross 15 on Friday. The weather is expected to remain cold as the westerly system continued to influence the region.