Bhubaneswar: As Odisha grapples with an intense heat wave pushing temperatures to 45°C and driving electricity consumption to new highs, Tata Power-led distribution companies (discoms) have deployed a robust emergency response system to maintain reliable power supply across the state.
The discoms are currently handling a peak demand of 6,739 MW, nearly 300 MW higher than last year’s maximum of 6,447 MW. In Bhubaneswar, demand has surged 17 per cent, rising from 641 MW last year to 750 MW this summer, largely due to widespread use of cooling appliances during the extreme weather.
To tackle the situation, more than 26,000 trained personnel—including maintenance crews, rapid response teams, supervisors, and safety officers—are working around the clock in both urban and rural areas. The discoms have also pre-positioned critical restoration materials statewide, including 67 power transformers, nearly 5,000 distribution transformers, over 60,000 poles, and approximately 9,000 kilometres of conductors and cables. Emergency equipment such as tower wagons, man-lifters, hydraulic tools, dewatering pumps, mobile substations, and tree-pruning machinery remains on standby for immediate deployment during outages, a company release said.
A central Power Distribution Technology Centre (PDTC), backed by regional control rooms, is providing continuous network monitoring to enable swift responses to faults, especially those triggered by Kalbaisakhi thunderstorms, lightning, and high winds.
It further stated that customer support has been significantly strengthened with a 24×7 integrated call centre equipped with 200 seats. Consumers can lodge complaints through IVRS, the mobile app, website, WhatsApp, or missed-call services. Real-time updates on outages and expected restoration times are being shared via SMS, WhatsApp, and social media platforms.
The discoms are coordinating closely with district administrations, fire services, ODRAF, and civic bodies to quickly clear fallen trees and debris that disrupt power infrastructure during storms.
In a statement, the discoms appealed to consumers for patience and cooperation as teams manage the dual challenges of unprecedented demand and severe weather.
Recognising the toll of prolonged exposure to extreme heat, the discoms have issued Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets and other safeguards to protect linemen and field staff from dehydration and heat-related stress, it added.
