In contravention to its earlier promise, the State Government began an hour-long power cut daily for Khordha and Puri districts from Monday. The power cut is likely to continue for a week. The decision has added to the woes of the people who are already reeling under the scorching heat with most of the places recording temperature between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius. The Odisha Power Transmission Corporation ltd (OPTCl) in a release said there would be phase-wise loadshedding from 30 minutes to one hour in Khordha and Puri districts, including Bhubaneswar and Nimapara. "Two extra high tension (EHT) towers between Narendrapur and Khordha and between Narendrapur and Mendhasala have been damaged by a twister in Nachuni near Balugan on Saturday. As a result, power supply from Narendrapur to Khordha and Mendhasala has been disrupted. It would take at least five days to restore these towers," the release said.
Similarly, a release of the Grid Corporation of Odisha (Gridco) said there would be a short supply 50-60 mega watt power due to damage of the two EHT towers. "Since Bhubaneswar requires 250-315 MW daily, it would not be possible to supply the required power as all transformers cannot take the load. So, phase-wise loadshedding is indispensable.”