Officials of Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company (GESCOM) in Yadgir district are finding it very difficult to restore power supply even after 24 hours of disruption due to a large number of electricity poles and transformers being damaged due to Sunday’s downpour and gusty winds.

According to sources, nearly 500 electricity poles and 100 transformers were damaged in both Yadgir and Shorapur GESCOM divisions, causing power outage.

“A large number of poles also broke down in the Hunsagi subdivision. We are on the field and taking restoration operations, and so far, 60% has been completed,” Executive Engineer of the Shorapur division Rajshekhar Bilwar told The Hindu.

Several villages under the Gurmitkal subdivision in the Yadgir division are the worst affected. People in many areas don’t have electricity supply even after 24 hours of disruption.

The sources said that restoration of power lines in urban areas and those that provide electricity to farm pumpsets in rural areas is almost completed. However, it will take more time to complete work on the entire power supply network.

Meanwhile, people are showing anger against the officials in the Yadgir division office for not responding to calls on powercut complaints.

“We called the GESCOM number which is reserved for consumer complaints many times. But there is no response. What is the use in keeping a helpline number when these people aren’t able to attend to phone calls?“ a woman questioned.

Basaveshwar Nagar, Vishwaradhya Nagar, Deshpande Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Mata Manikeshwari Nagar, Hosalli Cross and Gunj area have suffered the most damage in Yadgir city limits.

Hanumegowda Beeranakal, resident of Buddha Basava Nagar, has expressed anguish against officers for not restoring electricity on time.