Heavy Winds Cause Power Outages and Protests in Adyar and Chennai Suburbs

Heavy winds and evening rain on Thursday caused widespread power outages across Chennai, disrupting the electricity distribution network in Adyar and prompting protests in several suburban areas.

The weather-induced disruptions occurred just as Chennai residents were beginning to recover from weeks of heat-related power issues. Across the city and its suburbs, authorities reported 20 distribution network failures starting Thursday evening.

In the core city, Adyar, Perambur, Anna Nagar, and KK Nagar experienced power issues due to failures in the local distribution network.

The prolonged outages led to public demonstrations. In Sembakkam, residents blocked the Tambaram-Velachery road at approximately 8:00 p.m. after being left without electricity since 4:30 p.m. Protesters complained that local section officers could not be reached by phone and that field personnel had abandoned repair work midway.

Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) officials stated that field teams were diverted to address a major fault where a high-tension overhead cable was severed by a falling coconut tree.

According to officials, a high-tension line powering the Gowrivakkam feeder from the Madambakkam substation snapped, while a pin insulator failed at the VGP Srinivasa Nagar feeder. Tripping was also reported at the Arkeshwarar, VGP Ponnagar, and Velusamy Nagar feeders, interrupting supply to Chitlapakkam, Sembakkam, and Perungalathur.

Elsewhere, a high-tension line snapped in Sholinganallur, and a large hoarding pole fell on a double-pole structure in Maduravoyal, cutting power to cold storage facilities in Koyambedu.

TNPDCL officials noted that restoration efforts were delayed in Mugalivakkam and Kundrathur because those areas rely on overhead lines, which were snapped by falling trees and hoardings. Officials stated that the faults were worked on overnight to restore power.