Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (SP)
Shivamogga, Feb 19: Fire raged in Sharavathi Hydro Power Station at Linganamakki, the main source of power supply to the stat grid, on account of short circuit on Thursday February 18 evening. As such, hydel power generation from the plant came to an abrupt stop. It is estimated that the state will suffer from 50 percent power shortage for a period of about two weeks due to this unexpected development.
The generation hub where the accident occurred was supplying nearly 50 percent of power requirement of the state and it used to generate between 14 and 16 million units each day.
It is said that short circuit occurred after two cables came in contact with each other inside the generator station at around 4.30 pm on Thursday. Most of the employees succeeded in running away and reaching to safety. Executive engineer, Krishna Bhat, assitant executive engineer, Balachandra, and junior engineer, Javalin, who went in to check, lost their way as thick smoke had covered the building. They then succeeded in reaching the roof of the building by climbing the stairs, after which they were brought down with the help of cranes.
Fire engines from Sagar and Siddapur rushed to the spot and helped Karnataka Power Corporation officials in dousing the fire, and succeeded in their aim after an effort lasting three hours. Top officials of Karnataka Power Corporation, who rushed to the spot, predicted a steep fall in power generation in the state for about 15 days.
District in-charge minister, Kimmane Ratnakar, who was at Thirthahalli, as well as Kagodu Timmappa, who represents local Sagar constituency,rushed to Linganamakki as soon as he learnt about the tragedy, and gathered information from officials personally. He was told that as most of the 80 employees had already left after duty hours before the accident, human life was not lost. Energy minister, D K Shivakumar, is scheduled to visit the spot on Friday and hold discussions about ways and meansto see that this catastrophe has minimal impact on the state's power situation.