Power dept teams swarm State, brace for monsoon

PANAJI

With the monsoon around the corner, the Electricity Department has deployed teams across jurisdictions of its divisions and sub-division in Goa to secure transmission and distribution assets which fall victim to the vagaries of the weather. 

Officials said their men have been working overtime to reduce the risk of outages when heavy rains and winds hit during the upcoming monsoon.

“We are taking no chances. Every line, pole and transformer possible is being checked and reinforced,” a senior official told The Goan.

On the ground, workers have been pruning tree branches that threaten overhead wires, stringing loose lines, and installing stay sets to strengthen leaning poles. 

Deteriorated poles are being replaced to the extent possible, guard loops added, and distribution transformer centres are being overhauled.

Tasks at transformer sites include topping oil, reconditioning units, replacing worn‑out cables, lugs, distribution boxes, kitkat fuses and main switches, a senior engineer said. 

Earthing systems are being installed, while 11KV air break switches are re‑jumpered and repaired.

At extra high voltage (EHV) and 33/11 KV substations, crews are tightening and replacing bus conductors, greasing and oiling isolators, and securing drop jumpers. 

Annual breaker maintenance is also underway and silica gel in transformers is being checked and replaced where needed. Power transformer oil is also being filtered, he added.

“These are routine but critical jobs. If we don’t do them now, the risk of breakdowns during storms is very high,” the engineer explained.

Goa’s power grid has long been vulnerable during monsoons, with falling trees, waterlogging and lightning strikes causing blackouts frequently during the season. 

This year, however, the department hopes its pre‑monsoon push will cut down response times and improve reliability.

“The aim is to keep supply steady even in tough conditions during the monsoon and make sure the grid and distribution systems hold," the engineer added. 

While the department’s efforts are extensive, officials nonetheless admitted that challenges remain, especially in rural and hilly terrain and forested areas with dense vegetation are harder to secure.