According to Electricity Department officials, insulators got burst and transformers got burnt at many places due to rains and lightning near the power sub-station, which, they said led to the power failures.
Taking cognisance of the problem, the department workers and officers worked the whole night to restore power, they said adding, but since the damage was widespread they were able to supply power only to few houses.
Seaside restaurants and other businesses at Assolna and Velim suffered heavy losses due to power failure. Some of the angry consumers marched to Velim substation demanding immediate restoration of power.
The villagers allege that the power department is using old and outdated insulators and transformers, as such, they quickly get damaged in rains.
Denying that they are using old and outdated insulators and transformers, the Electrics Department officials say they cannot fight with nature.
“Insulators get heated up due to power transmission and when rain water falls on them they get burst. It’s a usual thing. During the first few days of rains, people will face power cuts; later it will be stabilised,” an officer said.
adding, “Till Thursday evening the department workers and officers were busy replacing the insulators and repairing transformers.”
Meanwhile, Elton Caiero, a Velim resident, said, “It is high time somebody looks into the functioning of our electricity department in Velim. When we had the first rains, we did not have power for the full night; and again today, we had rains and no power from six in the evening. The engineers are not available when most needed, due to which people are forced to spend the night in dark.”
Nelly Rodrigues, who owns the popular Start Light restaurant in Assolna, said that they had no current for seven hours at a stretch from Wednesday evening.
