Storm hits crop, power supply in Palampur

Our Correspondent

Palampur, May 27

Rain and a thunderstorm hit various parts of the town last evening causing heavy damage to standing crops, houses, power supply lines and telecommunication system.

Power supply remained disrupted in the town for more than 12 hours as power conductors suffered damages in different parts of the town. Several trees were uprooted in places causing damage to property and vehicles parked under trees.

Earlier on Monday, there was also a complete power failure in the town. On Tuesday again, power supply was disrupted in several parts of the town causing inconvenience to people.

Officials of HPSEBL said power supply was suspended for the maintenance of lines on Monday and Tuesday and later there was a grid failure and the town plunged into darkness.

Residents of the town had a hard time as there was none to attend to public calls in electricity complaint offices of the town. Even senior officials were not ready to tell when the power supply would be restored.

KB Rahlan, spokesperson of People’s Voice, an NGO of the town, criticised HPSEBL for frequent power break-downs in the town. He said satellite areas of the town were worse affected where residents were facing unannounced power cuts daily. He urged the Chief Minister and senior officials of HPSEBL to order a probe into frequent power failures in Palampur and its adjoining areas.