The Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) restored over 90% of the electricity load in the Jammu region within just 48 hours following a catastrophic torrential rain event on August 26, 2025, which triggered massive landslides and cloudbursts, devastating the region’s power infrastructure. The disaster caused a drastic drop in power supply, reducing the load to a mere 299 MW against a normal demand of 1,050 MW, but the PDD’s swift response ensured that 960 MW, or 92% of the normal load, was restored by the evening of August 28.
The unprecedented rainfall wreaked havoc, toppling transmission towers, flooding receiving stations, and damaging nearly 19,000 distribution transformers and hundreds of poles. Of the 1,349 feeders in the region, only 364 remained operational by the evening of August 26. Despite these challenges, the PDD’s relentless efforts under grueling conditions—working round-the-clock, isolating faulty elements, and leveraging alternate power arrangements—enabled rapid recovery. By 7 PM on August 27, the department had restored 725 MW, or 70% of the normal load, a spokesperson said.
The PDD prioritized restoring electricity to critical installations, including defense establishments, Jal Shakti water supply units, AIIMS, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, and other hospitals, with most regaining power on the first day. The 900 MW Baglihar Hydroelectric Project, shut down due to high silt levels in the Chenab River, was fully operational within 60 hours, with all units synchronized by August 29 to secure the region’s energy supply.
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A key factor in the swift restoration was the deployment of the Emergency Restoration System (ERS), which replaced a collapsed tower on the Hiranagar–Battal–Manwal line in just 24 hours—a task that typically takes months. The PDD’s success was bolstered by exceptional coordination with central and state agencies, including the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the police. “The teamwork and synergy have been extraordinary, enabling us to restore stability despite widespread destruction,” the PDD spokesperson noted.
While temporary measures have stabilized the power supply, permanent restoration of damaged infrastructure, including towers, poles, and substation equipment, is expected to take several months. The PDD, in collaboration with partner agencies, is committed to completing these repairs while ensuring uninterrupted service. This rapid response underscores Jammu and Kashmir’s resilience in the face of natural calamities, setting a benchmark for disaster recovery and inter-agency cooperation in challenging times.
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