Several areas in and around Thripunithura were severely affected by a prolonged disruption in power supply caused by heavy rain and wind, which hit the region on Tuesday (May 12). Power supply could not be restored even after 24 hours in several areas, throwing normal life out of gear and triggering protests.

Eroor, Thripunithura town, Maradu, Panangad and Udayamperoor under the Thripunithura sub-division witnessed power outages, with around 60 electric poles damaged after trees fell on power lines. The lines snapped at more than 25 locations. The Ullas Nagar area suffered extensive damage, with four electric posts destroyed in that locality alone. Power supply from 80 transformers was disrupted on Tuesday, sources with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) said.

Only commercial establishments equipped with power backup facilities were able to function in the town on Wednesday (May 13). Shops and households relying on inverters were also plunged into darkness by evening after their backup power ran out. Many residents had to charge their mobile phones from their cars.

KSEB officials said restoration works were on. “In Thripunithura, 90% of the 11kV lines have been charged by Wednesday evening. The damaged low-tension lines will be restored by Thursday evening (May 14),” an official with the Thripunithura sub-division said. While 26 low-tension posts were damaged in Thripunithura, seven 11kV poles and 18 low-tension poles broke in different parts of Maradu. The official said power supply was fully restored in Eroor and Panangad on Wednesday.

Councillors led by Maradu municipality chairperson Ajitha Nandakumar and residents, meanwhile, staged a sit-in at the KSEB office there in protest against the delay in restoration of power supply.