Thiruvananthapuram: Relentless monsoon rains continue to batter Kerala, leaving behind a trail of destruction across the state and causing major damage to the electricity distribution network. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has estimated preliminary losses of Rs 25.43 crore as heavy rain, flooding and strong winds damaged power infrastructure in several districts. Officials have warned that the actual losses could rise further as inspections continue in areas that remain flooded or inaccessible.
The prolonged spell of rain has affected lakhs of electricity consumers and disrupted normal life across many parts of the state. Restoration teams have been working around the clock to reconnect supply wherever it is safe to do so, but waterlogged areas and damaged infrastructure continue to slow down repair work.
According to KSEB's latest assessment, the heavy rains have damaged thousands of electricity installations. A total of 2,892 transformers have been affected, while 349 high tension electric poles and 2,599 low tension poles have either been damaged or destroyed. In addition, 248 high tension power lines and 7,212 low tension lines have snapped due to falling trees, landslides and strong winds that accompanied the heavy rainfall.
The board also reported that 233 transformers remain submerged in floodwaters, making immediate restoration impossible until water levels recede and safety inspections are completed. Officials stressed that reconnecting electricity in flooded areas without proper checks could pose a serious risk of electrocution.
The damage has resulted in widespread power outages across the state. More than 6.56 lakh electricity consumers experienced disruptions as the rain intensified over the past few days. By Monday evening, KSEB had restored power to the majority of affected households, but around 63,676 consumers were still without electricity as repair work continued.
The worst affected districts include Kannur and Pathanamthitta, where heavy rainfall and flooding caused extensive damage to power lines and substations. Several rural areas also remain difficult to access because roads have been flooded or blocked by fallen trees and landslides.
KSEB has activated emergency control rooms in all electricity circles and deployed additional technical teams to speed up restoration work. Engineers, line workers and emergency crews have been working throughout the day and night despite challenging weather conditions to repair damaged poles, replace snapped lines and restore power supply.
Officials have appealed to the public to remain cautious around damaged electrical installations, fallen wires and flooded areas. Residents have been advised not to touch any broken electric poles or cables and to immediately inform the nearest KSEB office if they notice damaged power equipment.
The continuing rain has affected much more than the power sector. Across Kerala, rivers have overflowed, low lying areas remain waterlogged and several roads have been closed due to flooding and landslides. Thousands of people have been shifted to relief camps as authorities continue rescue and relief operations in vulnerable regions.
The India Meteorological Department has maintained rain warnings for several districts, indicating that heavy rainfall may continue in parts of the state. Disaster management authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have urged people living in landslide prone and flood vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official advisories.
State government agencies, local authorities, firefighters and disaster response teams continue to work together to restore essential services and assist affected families. Relief operations are expected to continue until weather conditions improve and floodwaters begin to recede.
KSEB officials said the current estimate of Rs 25.43 crore represents only the preliminary assessment of damage. As teams gain access to submerged and remote areas in the coming days, the financial impact is expected to become clearer and the overall loss could increase further.
While restoration efforts have made steady progress, authorities say the safety of both workers and the public remains the highest priority as Kerala continues to battle one of the season's most intense spells of monsoon rain.