Rain havoc: Kerala State Electricity Board pegs loss at ₹86.67 crore

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has pegged the financial loss on account of the damage to electrical installations caused by heavy rain and wind at ₹86.67 crore. As per the latest update, 2,317 high-tension posts and 14,047 low-tension posts were wrecked in the extreme weather, the power utility said in a statement on Wednesday. Power outages hit a little over 46.12 lakh consumers across the State. Supply has been restored to 40.05 lakh consumers.

The latest updates from the KSEB follow a review meeting convened by Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty on Tuesday. Largescale damage was mostly caused by uprooted trees and broken branches bringing down overhead power lines and electric posts. The KSEB has been asked to complete the repairs on a war footing.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mr. Krishnankutty directed the Chief Secretary to issue instructions to the District Collectors to ensure that the fallen trees are removed and take steps to cut down trees that pose a risk. The KSEB was also directed to stock electric posts, cables, solar net meters, transformers and ring main units (RMU) in adequate numbers.

To make up for the shortage of staff in certain units, retired hands will be included in the teams as a temporary measure.

Published - May 28, 2025 09:11 pm IST