Heavy rains that lashed Kottayam last week caused losses of around ₹1.75 crore to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), with the Pala electrical circle suffering the biggest damage.According to KSEB officials, the 21 electrical sections under the Pala circle, which covers Poonjar and Erattupetta, suffered losses of more than ₹1 crore. Three transformers were completely destroyed, while 76 high-tension and 218 low-tension poles were damaged. Power lines, including 11-kV lines, were snapped or damaged at 863 locations, affecting 95,080 connections. All affected connections have since been restored. Power supply was also disrupted at 340 locations after trees were uprooted or branches fell on power lines.The Kottayam electrical circle, meanwhile, reported losses of ₹78 lakh across 31 sections, affecting 73,663 consumers. Twenty-five high-tension and 78 low-tension poles were damaged, while power lines were snapped at 285 locations. Two transformers were completely destroyed and had to be replaced.Despite the scale of the damage, power supply was restored within three days in the worst-hit areas, including Poonjar, Theekoy and Erattupetta, where heavy landslides had caused extensive damage.The damage was relatively limited in several low-lying areas, including Kumarakom, Thiruvarppu, Vechoor and Kallara, as transformers there had been relocated to higher ground or elevated following the 2018 floods to prevent waterlogging.In urban areas, the use of aerial bundled cables (ABC) for power distribution also helped minimise disruptions, officials said. Published - August 11, 2026 07:55 pm IST