Noida, June 23 (IANS): Noida has been reeling under major power shortage since Monday afternoon, leaving people in a helpless condition in the sweltering heat.

The power supply came to an abrupt standstill after a tower, carrying transmission lines, collapsed in Monday's storm.

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) Superintendent Engineer Mukul Singhal said a transmission line tower, carrying lines supplying power from the 220 KV power station in Greater Noida to power station in Noida, collapsed in the storm.

He said the tower was found twisted due to strong air turbulence. Since then, the power supply has been disrupted and the entire NOIDA city has been facing a major power supply shortage.

The official said it might take yet another day for power supply to normalise.

"The erection (of the tower) would take another day... the assemby of the tower has commenced on the spot. As an adhoc arrangement, we are supplying power to the city on an average 12 to 13 hours a day from other sources," Singhal said.

"Two other 220 KV power stations in sector-20 and sector-62, from where we have managed to supply power on an adhoc basis in phases, have enabled us to feed the city with 12 to 13 hours supply daily," Singhal said.

Residents complained of finding it difficult to manage with such a power deficit.

"The absence of electricity also affected the water supply in our society. It was because the water tubewell could not function without electricity," said K.D. Sharma, a resident of Noida Sector-62.

"We are having a tough time at home as even the inverters are no more in working condition. They could not be recharged after they got exhausted," said Poonam Singh, a resident of Noida Sector-52.