Delhi power supply hit as dense fog trips lines

Press Trust of India

 Air, rail and road traffic disrupted 

New Delhi, Jan. 5:

Several parts of the National Capital reeled under power cuts for long hours on Thursday with the electricity department blaming it on tripping of lines due to a combination of dense fog and pollution.

 Areas in east Delhi, north-west Delhi and south Delhi such as Geeta Colony, Rohini, Mehrauli, Mahipalpur,Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar and Sabzi Mandi suffered the most as efforts to restore power supply took more than theusual time.

Some areas witnessed power failure for more than six hours.

Power Department officials said the problem started at around 2 a m as thick fog descended on the capital.

“Due to dense fog, moisture was developed and it led to short circuit and subsequent tripping of electric lines,” aTransco spokesperson said.

Restoration of power supply was affected as many lines which were rectified tripped again, officials said.

The frequent tripping was also attributed to pollution in the city with officials pointing out that dust particles wereaccumulated on lines which led to short-circuit after moisture was developed due to fog.

“Pollution in city is one reason. Dust particles get accumulated on the electric line. Moisture is developed when thereis fog. This leads to short circuit on the line,” the officials said.

The interruption in power supply gave a difficult time to Delhiites on a cold day with some complaining that they could not operate room and water heaters.

Traffic disruption

It was a foggy and wet day across North India today which made life uncomfortable for people despite a rise inminimum temperatures across the region.

The national capital was blinded by dense fog on a chilly morning slowing down traffic on roads and disrupting airand rail traffic.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 8.6 degree Celsius, two degrees above normal, the MeT Department said.

Fog descended on the capital in the morning and visibility fell to near zero levels.

The dense fog had some effect on the operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport where around 15 flights were delayed.

The prevailing weather conditions also affected rail traffic delaying several trains in the capital.

Road traffic was slowed down due to fog and drivers switched on fog lights to negotiate through Delhi streets. The Weatherman has predicted thunderstorms with rain tomorrow.

(This article was published on January 5, 2012)

Keywords: power cuts, dense fog, Traffic disruption,