With the nor’wester season fast approaching, Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has taken proactive steps to ensure the state’s power infrastructure is prepared to face the extreme weather. Nor’westers, locally known as “Kalbaishakhi,” are notorious for their sudden, intense thunderstorms that bring heavy rain and powerful winds, often causing widespread damage, particularly to electricity infrastructure.
In a high-level review meeting held in Agartala, Minister Nath assessed the preparedness of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) and issued several directives to bolster the state’s response to potential disruptions. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the power department, engineers, district heads, and disaster response personnel.
Minister Nath stressed the need for a robust and preemptive action plan to ensure uninterrupted power supply and quick restoration in the event of outages. He emphasized that given Tripura’s topographical and climatic vulnerabilities, the power department must remain alert and fully equipped throughout the nor’wester season.
Among the key areas of focus were:
- Inspection and Reinforcement of Infrastructure: The minister directed officials to carry out immediate inspections of critical infrastructure such as high-tension transmission lines, substations, transformers, and feeder lines. Any weak or damaged components must be repaired or replaced to minimize risk during storms. Special emphasis was placed on areas that have been historically prone to storm damage.
- Emergency Response Teams: The minister instructed that mobile emergency repair teams be stationed in each district with adequate personnel and resources. These teams are expected to respond rapidly to power outages or infrastructure failures, ensuring that restoration work begins without delay.
- Stockpiling of Materials: To avoid delays in repair work, the department was advised to stock essential repair materials like transformers, cables, insulators, poles, and safety gear. Coordination with vendors and suppliers was also discussed to ensure timely procurement if required.
- Improved Communication with the Public: Ratan Lal Nath underlined the importance of transparent and timely communication with consumers. He urged the power department to set up helplines and to use social media platforms, mobile messaging, and local radio to provide updates on outages, estimated repair times, and safety precautions during extreme weather.
- Coordination with Other Departments: The power department was advised to maintain close coordination with disaster management authorities, public works, and local administration to facilitate quick access to affected areas and ensure public safety.
Tripura has faced several weather-related power disruptions in the past, with strong winds often uprooting poles and damaging lines. Minister Nath noted that while the nor’wester season is relatively short, its impact can be severe if preparations are inadequate. He urged officials to adopt a zero-compromise approach on safety, both for workers and for the general public.
The minister also reviewed past incident reports and highlighted the need for data-driven risk assessment. He recommended mapping vulnerable zones and setting up contingency plans accordingly. He further asked for a weekly update on readiness status from the chief engineers of each zone.
Local residents have welcomed the government’s proactive approach. Many have expressed optimism that with better preparedness, the inconvenience and hazards of power outages during storms can be minimized this year.
As Tripura braces for another round of intense seasonal weather, the power department’s efforts to enhance infrastructure resilience and emergency response capability are expected to play a crucial role in maintaining normalcy. The coming weeks will test the strength of these preparations, but the government appears committed to minimizing disruption and keeping the lights on—even when the skies darken.