Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 8
The heat-wave in Dimapur continued for a third day with the scorching temperatures making life very uncomfortable for people in the town.
Weather reports indicated that Thursday saw a maximum temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius. However the real feel temperature was 42 degrees Celsius, coupled with a relative humidity of 90 percent. Even hilly areas like Phek recorded temperatures as high as 30 degrees Celsius.
As per weather forecast, over the next few days till the end of the week, people can expect some respite in Dimapur. While temperatures are predicted to remain the same as Thursday, weather reports say that there is chance of rain and thunderstorm on Saturday and Sunday.
However, temperatures are expected to rise again by the middle of next week. Next Thursday is predicted to be especially hot with weather reports indicating the day may see a maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.
Overloaded transformers add to misery
Meanwhile, a wobbly power distribution network in Dimapur is adding to the woes as at least 3 distribution transformers were reported damaged in 3 different locations during the past 3 days.
Consumers of K Khel, Diphupar ‘A’ went without power for almost 2 days after a 500Kva transformer broke down on the intervening night of June 6-7. A Power department official informed today that a replacement was found and installed on Wednesday but it also broke down. It turned out that the replacement was of a lower load capacity.
Explaining the bungle, the official said it was a case of wrongly embossed citation (on the transformer casing) indicating load capacity. The substitute transformer’s capacity turned out to be only 315Kva as opposed to the imprinted insignia.
The consumers had to endure another sleepless night as the department had to look for another of 500kva capacity. A spare was found, which was installed on Thursday, charged and put into circuit in the late evening.
At another location in Diphupar ‘B’, near the airport, a 25Kva transformer broke down on Wednesday. It was removed and replaced with an upgraded 63Kva on Thursday.
A third such incident occurred at Eros Lane on the night of June 7. It was yet another case of an overloaded 500Kva transformer going kaput. A replacement was installed today, which the official said should go into circuit by evening.
The soaring summer temperatures, coupled with ageing distribution equipments were attributed as the major factors for the breakdowns. Consumers coping with the heat-wave respond with using more cooling appliances simultaneously for longer durations, which ultimately result in transformers over loading and breaking down.
