Tauktae aftermath exposes shortcomings: Cyclone leaves ugly power tussle in wake

A fallen electricity pole and branches block a road in Virar after the cyclone. Pics/Hanif Patel

Demand has grown louder for underground cabling of electricity wires in Palghar district, predominantly in the Vasai-Nalasopara-Virar area, after Cyclone Tauktae knocked down several electric poles leaving thousands of households without power for four days. Locals dependent on electricity to keep their water supply running and employees working from home suffered the most.

An electric pole fell on the roof of a house after being knocked down by the cyclone

The power supply was disconnected on May 16 after the cyclone warning. An official from Kalyan Zone of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) told mid-day that the power infrastructure in Vasai taluka was hit badly, affecting 2.41 lakh consumers.

One of the worst affected villages in Vasai was Maliwadi, where former corporator Prachi Collaco claimed to have helped villagers by arranging generators to stock up water. Locals, however, accused her of lying, triggering a minor brawl during mid-day's on-ground visit. Water pipeline has not reached many villages in Vasai, where locals pump up water from wells to their overhead tanks.

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"She (Collaco) is lying," yelled Sadhna D'silva, a local. "We, on our own, rented a generator for Rs 3,000 per hour. Collaco has done nothing for this village. We remained in the dark for four days after the cyclone hit. Every monsoon, we face power cut and waterlogging issues."

‘A loss of Rs 25 lakh'

Iqbal Hudda, the owner of DNA Infotel Pvt Ltd -- the largest supplier of WiFi connection to Vasai-Virar area, told mid-day that his business incurred a loss of Rs 25 lakh. "After the cyclone snapped internet services, we ran generators for two days to keep our control room active." He said WiFi connection to 90 per cent of his customers have been restored. Hudda said the cyclone-prone area needs "underground electricity cabling to avert such a crisis in the future."

An electric pole rests dangerously on overhead wires in a residential area

Dominica Dabre, principal of Sacred Heart school at Byculla, said she did not have water to clean the house after the death of his brother due to Covid-19. "Such was our plight," she said, adding that "at least 75 per cent of the Vasai-Virar residents are currently working from home."

Bhavika Vaze of Bolinj, Virar, who is a senior executive at a private bank in Borivli, could not work an entire day.

Virar resident Ajay Belchada, a specialist with a US-based bank, had to hire a cab to his in-laws in Kalina to work. "The power went off on Monday morning, but I managed with the inverter and mobile phone hotspot. I took a leave on Tuesday, but had to resume work the next day, so I went to Kalina. I came home on Saturday evening, but the power is fluctuating," he told mid-day.

His colleague Rubina Roderigues, who lives in Vasai, said she could not inform her office as there was no cellular network. She resumed work on Wednesday once the WiFi connection was restored, but electricity fluctuates a lot.

Restaurant owners were also hit. "I have incurred a loss of about R1 lakh as the refrigerator was shut for four days, due to which ice cream, fish, mutton, chicken, vegetables and other items rotted. Many like me have incurred heavy to very heavy losses," said Avinash Kuse, who runs Samadhan hotel in Vasai.

‘Electric poles decay fast'

Underlining the importance of underground cabling, former MLA and Vasai resident Vivek Pandit said, "The humidity and salinity are high in Vasai-Virar area as it is located near the sea coast. So, the metal electric poles are not durable as these easily rust and decay fast. Also, there are a lot of big trees that fall on overhead wirings during a cyclone."

A resident had to use a water pump for his daily needs

"When I was MLA in 2012-13, I had suggested underground cabling but nothing was ever done," Pandit said.

Manoj Barot, a local BJP leader from Vasai-Virar, said power supply was disrupted for four days during monsoon in 2018 as well. "Three years later, we are stuck in the same situation." Who is responsible for this power crisis? The people of Vasai-Virar chose three MPs, four mayors, four deputy mayors and 106 corporators, but we continue to suffer," Barot added. "I would request the Mahavitaran and the state government to urgently pass a proposal for underground electricity cabling in Vasai Virar area."

A senior MSEDCL employee, who was seen working to restore power supply, told mid-day that the local residents often vent their anger at the technicians. "What is our fault if electric poles collapse because of the cyclone? We usually immediately restore power supply... But when workload is high, restoration takes time," the official said.

A senior MSEDCL official told mid-day, "A huge fund is required for underground electricity wiring. This can only be possible when it is done under certain schemes approved by either the state government or the Centre."

Two deaths in Vasai

A 36-year-old technician, Manohar Shivaji Pawar, restoring power in Vasai fell off a pole and died on May 18. A seven-year-old tribal child died on Saturday evening. Mayur Padekar had gone out to play when he was electrocuted in Vasai West where mangled wires and fallen electric poles hadn't been cleared yet.

75%
Proportion of Vasai-Virar residents working from home currently

Seven
No. of times underground cabling is costlier than overhead wires