Sunday’s freak storm damages GPL’s primary and secondary networks –company strengthens emergency service three-fold to effect repairs

THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. has announced that the freak storm which hit the coastlands in Demerara and Berbice on Sunday wreaked extensive damage to its primary and secondary networks, resulting in outages and fluctuating voltage of varying durations.A GPL release issued yesterday announced that twenty one of the company’s poles had been broken in Demerara, while five have thus far been recorded broken in Berbice. Six poles have also been confirmed leaning precariously in Demerara, while one has been reported in that condition in Berbice.

Stressing the extent and gravity of the damage done, the GPL release said: “While the major effect of the stormy weather was the uprooting/breaking of both primary and secondary poles, the network was also affected by roof sheets and trees falling onto it.”

Albeit, the GPL has assured that emergency crews have embarked on, and continue to effect, repairs to the network. The release reports that much success has been achieved since Sunday evening, as several communities have been repowered. The GPL credits this feat to its strengthening emergency services by almost triple the usual number.

Additionally, GPL received machinery support from the Management of Demerara Harbour Bridge, for which it extends profound appreciation.

Region Five
The confirmed most critical report emanating from Berbice, management has said, is a broken pole at Ithaca, West Bank Berbice. That pole supports a critical transmission line linking East and West Berbice (Regions Five and Six), thereby affecting East Berbice residents.

“But the technical work required to replace this pole could not have been executed on Sunday, due to the location of the pole and unfavourable weather conditions. However, works are ongoing and electricity should be restored by 18:00 hrs today [Monday] to those affected customers, the GPL release has assured.

Region Four
“Additionally, crews are currently working along the East Bank Demerara corridor replacing damaged line hardware, securing leaning poles, and replacing broken ones. This, too, is likely to be completed by 18:00 hrs on Monday,” GPL promised.

Outlining the GPL approach to emergencies, the release said: “Our approach to emergencies has been segmented into high-risk and low-risk, for which we have distinct skilled crews to address same. Numerous crews are currently engaged in mopping up operations and addressing isolated cases where individual consumers may have had service interruption caused by the high winds; while the very highly skilled crews are engaged in pole replanting and fixing damaged line hardware.”

As work progresses on Monday and Tuesday, the Guyana Power and Light is soliciting consumers’ patience, and is asking that they exercise due caution around fallen poles and lines.

“If you are experiencing abnormal voltage, please power off your main switch and call our emergency hotline. Our Emergency Services telephone numbers are: Berbice 333-2186; Demerara: 225-4015 or 225-4016,” the release concluded.

By Shirley Thomas

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