Rajasthan dust storms cause crore-rupee damage to Jodhpur DISCOM power infrastructure

JAISALMER: The severe dust storms and strong winds that swept across western Rajasthan on Saturday and Sunday caused extensive damage worth crores of rupees to the power infrastructure in the Jodhpur DISCOM region. The three zones under the utility - Jodhpur, Barmer, and Bikaner, witnessed large-scale damage to power poles, transformers, and feeders. Restoration work was launched immediately, and electricity supply has already been restored in most affected areas.According to Managing Director Dr. Bhanwar Lal, a total of 4 power transformers, 748 distribution transformers, 133 feeders of 33 kV, and 2,396 feeders of 11 kV were affected across the region. Additionally, 12,001 electricity poles were damaged, disrupting power supply in 1,903 villages and towns. So far, electricity has been restored in 1,308 villages, while restoration work continues in the remaining affected areas.The Jodhpur Zone recorded damage to 6,011 electricity poles. A total of 302 distribution transformers, 65 feeders of 33 kV, and 1,423 feeders of 11 kV were affected. Power supply was disrupted in 1,128 villages and towns, of which 719 have already been restored.In Pali Circle, 652 poles were damaged, affecting 866 villages, and power has been restored in 679 villages. Within the Jodhpur district, 2,254 poles were damaged, while the Phalodi area reported damage to 2,944 poles. Officials estimate losses running into several crores of rupees.In the Barmer Zone, 485 electricity poles were damaged. The storm affected 16 distribution transformers, 7 feeders of 33 kV, and 182 feeders of 11 kV. Electricity supply was disrupted in 134 villages and towns, with power restored in 54 villages so far.The Bikaner Zone suffered damage to 5,505 electricity poles. The storm affected 430 distribution transformers, 61 feeders of 33 kV, and 791 feeders of 11 kV. Power supply was disrupted in 641 villages and towns, and electricity has been restored in 535 of them.DISCOM officials said engineers, technical staff, and field teams have been working continuously to restore electricity in all affected areas. Restoration of power supply in the remaining villages and towns is being carried out on a war footing.Overall Damage Assessment-Power Transformers Damaged: 4Distribution Transformers Damaged: 74833 kV Feeders Affected: 13311 kV Feeders Affected: 2,396Electricity Poles Damaged: 12,001Villages/Towns Affected: 1,903Villages/Towns Restored: 1,308Following the storm, Jodhpur DISCOM immediately launched an extensive restoration campaign. Continuous monitoring was carried out from the control room, and engineers, technical personnel, and Fast Response Teams (FRTs) were deployed to affected locations.Throughout Sunday, teams worked tirelessly to replace damaged poles, repair snapped power lines, clear faults, and restore transformers. Senior officials from the Jodhpur, Barmer, and Bikaner zones personally supervised restoration activities in the field.Despite extreme heat, dust-laden winds, and challenging conditions, field staff continued restoration efforts without interruption. Additional resources and technical teams were dispatched wherever required.Jodhpur DISCOM Managing Director Dr. Bhanwar Lal closely monitored the situation from Saturday night onward. He remained in constant touch with officials from the Jodhpur, Barmer, and Bikaner zones, reviewing progress and issuing necessary instructions.He directed officials to prioritize restoration of electricity supply to hospitals, drinking water projects, urban areas, and the worst-affected villages.According to DISCOM officials, electricity supply has been restored in most affected areas, while intensive restoration work continues in the remaining locations.