Goa : Several regions in South Goa experienced a significant power blackout on Sunday, lasting over four hours and disrupting daily activities. According to sources in the electricity department, the outage commenced around 4 PM when an interstate power line from Karnataka tripped at the Xeldem power station.
The situation was further exacerbated by the failure of an insulator at the substation. While the precise cause of the issue remains under investigation, the immediate need to address the faulty line necessitated extensive shutdowns. Chief Electrical Engineer explained that to rectify the issue, the entire substation at Xeldem had to be taken offline, resulting in a widespread blackout across several parts of South Goa. Power was eventually restored past 8:30 PM, leaving many areas without electricity for extended periods. Superintending Engineer informed that during the restoration efforts, most areas of Cuncolim, Canacona, Velim, Carmona, and Sanguem experienced power cuts. “Despite the widespread outage, we managed to implement alternative arrangements to supply power to critical areas of Margao and other essential installations,” he noted.
The blackout had a particularly severe impact on Salcete taluka, where most areas were left without power for more than seven hours. Affected regions included Cuncolim, Velim, Assolna, Sao Jose de Areal, Cavelossim, Carmona, Orlim, and parts of Varca. The power disruption in these areas began around 1:30 PM and lasted well into the evening. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities in South Goa’s power infrastructure, particularly the dependency on interstate power lines and the need for robust maintenance and quick response mechanisms. The power department’s efforts to restore electricity, although eventually successful, highlight the critical importance of having efficient backup systems to minimize the impact of such disruptions on residents and businesses. Moving forward, a thorough investigation into the root causes of the outage will be crucial. Preventative measures must be implemented to avoid similar occurrences in the future, ensuring that the power supply remains stable and reliable. Enhancing the resilience of the power grid and ensuring timely maintenance could mitigate the risk of such widespread outages, safeguarding the region against prolonged disruptions.
