Srinagar, Feb 28: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Friday announced that nearly 95% of electricity supply has been restored across the Kashmir Valley following widespread outages caused by heavy snowfall. Officials confirmed that restoration work is ongoing, with remaining efforts focused mainly in Kulgam and Baramulla districts.
In an exclusive conversation with Rising Kashmir, Chief Engineer KPDCL, Er. Auqiba Javid Deva, reassured the public, stating, “There has been no major damage to the power infrastructure, and we have successfully restored electricity in most areas. Only 5% of affected regions remain, and our teams are working around the clock to complete the restoration process.”
Deva further highlighted that the department had been on high alert prior to the snowfall and took immediate action to minimize disruptions. “Since early morning on Friday, our teams and machinery have been working relentlessly. With improving weather conditions, we have expedited the restoration process, and we expect to achieve 100% restoration by late evening,” he added.
Despite the KPDCL’s claims, residents from various parts of North and South Kashmir continue to report prolonged outages. Irfan Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla, shared his frustration: “We have been experiencing power cuts since the snowfall started. The electricity keeps flickering on and off, which has caused significant inconvenience.” Similar complaints have been received from residents in Shopian and Anantnag, who also reported frequent power disruptions.
A senior official from the Power Development Department (PDD) acknowledged these issues, attributing them to local faults. “There may be some damaged insulators or minor issues at the local level. Our teams are working to address these problems as quickly as possible,” the official explained.
Meanwhile, KPDCL has urged residents to report power-related grievances through its toll-free helpline for a quicker resolution of issues.
The Valley experienced heavy snowfall on Friday, as predicted by the Meteorological Department, which significantly impacted daily life and essential services. However, authorities remain optimistic that normalcy will be restored shortly.
