Rain affects power supply

17 May 2010 11:50 am

By Jamila Najmuddin

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that it has been forced to disrupt power in certain areas as a result of flood waters seeping into some sub stations.

Power has already been cut in Colombo 13, 14 and 15, CEB Chairman Vidya Amarapala said at a press briefing a short while ago while a CEB Spokesperson told Daily Mirror online that power might also be interrupted in the Kelaniya area if it continues to rain throughout the next few hours.

The CEB Chairman said that water together with mud had flown into one sub station at Bloemendhal Road affecting some of the equipment resulting in power being interrupted in Colombo 13, 14 and 15. 

He added that the authorities are now in the process of cleaning the equipment and hope to restore power atleast by late tonight.

The CEB Chairman also said that there was no immediate threat of a power cut in Kiribathgoda as rain water from it's substation had subsided but warned that if the water level rises due to a heavy downpour then power would be disrupted.

Meanwhile the CEB also urged the consumers to bear with the power cuts as there were many breakdowns as a result of the downpour and a very limited staff.

The CEB added that if the rains do not continue, then power throughout the island would be restored in a day or two. (Daily Mirror online)