A severe hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds swept across Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, offering relief from the oppressive heat but triggering widespread power outages across several parts of the capital.
Residents in areas such as Bawana, Narela, Jahangirpuri, Civil Lines, Shakti Nagar, Model Town, Wazirabad, Dhirpur, and Burari faced electricity disruptions as trees and branches collapsed onto power lines, damaging infrastructure and halting supply.
Power companies respond to outages
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (DDL) issued a statement acknowledging the disruptions and explained the outages were caused by storm-related damage. The company noted that, in some areas, power had to be cut off deliberately to prevent electrocution.
“With Delhi hit by an intense dust storm followed by thunderclaps, hail and rain, power disruptions were witnessed in several parts of the capital. Power lines were damaged by falling trees and branches. To ensure public safety, electricity supply had to be temporarily suspended in certain areas,” Tata Power-DDL said.
The company added that its Operations and Maintenance teams were on high alert, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) were working swiftly to restore power. “We appreciate the patience of our consumers. At Tata Power-DDL, your safety and well-being remain our top priority,” it said.
BSES Delhi faces similar challenges
BSES Delhi, another major power supplier, echoed the concerns, saying that the storm’s impact led to similar damage across their service zones. “Strong winds and rain led to instances of power disruption primarily due to the falling of trees and their branches on electricity cables,” the company noted.
BSES also deployed Quick Response Teams to address complaints but admitted that restoration in some areas was slower due to challenges such as traffic congestion and the time-consuming process of removing fallen trees, which requires coordination with civic authorities.
“As a precautionary measure, we had to temporarily switch off the power supply in certain areas to prevent electrocution and ensure public safety. The safety and well-being of citizens remains the highest priority for us,” BSES said.
Relief and caution
While the sudden change in weather brought respite from soaring temperatures, the accompanying damage highlighted the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather events. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast similar conditions in the coming days, prompting authorities and residents to stay alert.
Sources By Agencies