Trees fall and damage lines, power disrupted toward Surkhet-Jajarkot

Continuous rainfall has caused trees and poles to fall, disrupting power supply in many parts of Surkhet, including the provincial capital Birendranagar. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, Surkhet, a tree fell and damaged the Birendranagar-Subbakuna-Ramghat 33kV line, cutting off supply to the Ramghat and Rakam substations, including the line toward Jajarkot.

The authority said preparations are underway to restore this line soon after the tree is removed and repairs are made. The Lamki-Babiyachaur 33kV line, however, has suffered major damage, making it impossible to restore power there immediately, while efforts are also underway to clear a fault on the Surkhet-Babiyachaur 33kV line.

Power is reaching the Birendranagar Bazaar feeder area only partially after a pole on its 11kV line fell; the authority said supply will be fully restored once the pole is repaired. Work is also underway to locate a fault on the Sitapaila feeder.

Technical teams have been deployed to the damaged locations, and supply will be gradually restored as repairs are completed. The authority said the continuous rainfall has itself been hindering repair work.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is a 100 percent chance of heavy rainfall with thunder in Birendranagar today, with temperatures between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places in Karnali today, and tomorrow moderate rainfall is expected at most places in Karnali's mountainous and hilly areas, with a possibility of windstorms at some places in the hilly areas.