Pre-monsoon showers cause large-scale damage to power infrastructure
Heavy pre-monsoon showers that resulted in large-scale damage in Bengaluru did not spare the power infrastructure. So far, 1,465 electricity poles and 190 transformers have been damaged in May. Officials estimate that another 600 to 700 poles might get damaged in the remaining 10 days. The losses in FY 2025-26 owing to rain damage stand at ₹65.3 crore.
This April, 1,880 electricity poles and 151 transformers were damaged owing to rain in the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) region.
The damage to electricity poles in April increased by more than threefold compared with that in the same month in 2024, when 558 poles were impacted. The number of transformers damaged also went up drastically, as only nine were damaged in April last year.
Bescom officials attributed this increase in damage to the increased intensity of winds and rain in April this year. 'The number of effective rainy days was much higher this April when compared with last year. There was also heavy wind, and it was significantly more than the previous year. While intensive rainfall started in the last week of April in 2024, this year, it started in the second week of April itself. That is why the numbers are higher, and it is difficult to compare the quantum,' said a senior official.
He added, 'The uprooting of trees has also increased due to loose soil as a result of multiple civic works going on, especially in Bengaluru. When one tree falls, it does not damage just one pole, but many others along that line.'
Over the years, power infrastructure has been consistently damaged during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. In 2022–23, the estimated loss because of the damage was ₹25.52 crore, in 2023–24, it was ₹15.22 crore, and in 2024–25, it was ₹30.2 crore. This year, the estimated loss has been pegged at ₹6.52 crore so far.
Bescom officials say there are no permanent solutions to this problem due to the weather.
'We have associated with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and the Forest Department for pre-monsoon maintenance. Without that, the damage will be two or three times more. We provide the necessary manpower and financial and material assistance to our sub-divisions, and they begin the maintenance work after Sankranti (mid-January) so that the damage can be reduced,' the senior official said.
However, experts have repeatedly pointed out that a scientific approach to maintenance and a successful implementation of the aerially bunched cable and underground cable programmes can almost prevent such damage from occurring.
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