Wed May 21 17:10:18 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Heavy pre-monsoon showers in Bengaluru have caused significant damage to the city’s power infrastructure. In May alone, over 1400 electricity poles and 190 transformers have been damaged, resulting in estimated losses of ₹65.3 crore for FY 2025-26. April saw even greater damage, more than triple that of the previous year. Bescom officials attribute the increase to higher intensity winds and rain, along with tree uprooting due to ongoing civic works. While Bescom conducts pre-monsoon maintenance with the help of other agencies, experts suggest that more scientific and long-term solutions like underground cabling are needed to prevent such extensive damage.

**News Article:**

**Bengaluru Power Grid Crumples Under Pre-Monsoon Deluge; Losses Soar**

**Bengaluru, May 21, 2025** – Bengaluru’s power infrastructure is reeling from the impact of heavy pre-monsoon showers, causing widespread damage and significant financial losses. According to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) officials, 1,465 electricity poles and 190 transformers have been damaged this month alone. This has resulted in estimated losses of ₹65.3 crore for the current fiscal year.

The situation worsened in April, with 1,880 poles and 151 transformers falling victim to the intense weather. This represents a threefold increase in pole damage compared to April 2024, when only 558 poles were affected.

Bescom attributes the increased damage to more intense winds and rainfall, and the impact of extensive civic construction causing trees to uproot and take down power lines. “The uprooting of trees has also increased due to loose soil as a result of multiple civic works going on, especially in Bengaluru,” said a senior Bescom official. “When one tree falls, it does not damage just one pole, but many others along that line.”

While Bescom is collaborating with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and the Forest Department for pre-monsoon maintenance, experts warn that these measures are insufficient. Calls are growing for a more scientific and permanent solution, including widespread implementation of aerially bunched cables and the underground cabling of power lines. They argue that these measures would significantly reduce the city’s vulnerability to weather-related power disruptions.

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