City Power has cautioned residents about potential disruptions to power supply across several areas in Johannesburg due to ongoing heavy rainfall. The downpours have damaged critical infrastructure in various parts of the city, including the East Rand.
Several neighborhoods, including Kensington, Fairview, Malvern, and Troyeville, have already experienced outages as a result of the weather conditions.
Rain’s Impact on Infrastructure
According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the rainfall has caused extensive damage to electrical infrastructure, making it challenging for the entity to address power outages efficiently. The combination of wet conditions and damaged equipment is slowing down response times to logged outage calls.
Mangena highlighted that two power lines from the Sebenza substation tripped in the early hours of the morning, cutting off power to much of Johannesburg’s eastern corridor.
“We opened the day with over 2,600 logged calls,” Mangena explained. “The majority of these calls stem from the inner city power outage caused by the tripping of the Sebenza substation’s two main lines. This has significantly affected power supply to most of the eastern corridor.”
Challenges in Restoring Power
The adverse weather has not only caused outages but also complicated efforts to restore power. Mangena emphasized that the conditions are affecting City Power’s ability to respond to outage calls efficiently, which may lead to prolonged waiting times for some affected areas.
In addition to the logistical challenges posed by the weather, the risk of electrical hazards due to wet conditions is another factor slowing down the repair process.
City Power teams are working around the clock to address the issues, but residents may experience longer-than-usual delays in service restoration due to the sheer volume of calls and the extent of the damage.
Calls for Reduced Electricity Consumption
Mangena also urged residents to be mindful of their electricity consumption during this period of instability.
“We, in the interim, encourage customers to reduce electricity consumption to avoid overloading the network and causing further outages,” he said.
Overloading the system during a time of weakened infrastructure could exacerbate the situation and cause additional blackouts, Mangena warned. By practicing energy conservation, residents can help minimize the likelihood of further network strain while repairs are underway.
Preventative Measures and Long-Term Plans
City Power is also reviewing its infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities that may have contributed to the current outages. The entity aims to strengthen its power systems to withstand future weather events better.
Mangena assured residents that City Power is committed to improving its response times and mitigating the impact of weather-related disruptions in the future.
How Residents Can Stay Informed
To help residents stay informed, City Power encourages customers to report power outages and follow updates through its official communication channels, including its website, social media platforms, and call centers. These updates can provide estimated restoration times and other crucial information.
Mangena also advised residents to take precautions during power outages, such as unplugging sensitive appliances to protect them from potential power surges when electricity is restored.
Community Support and Cooperation
In times of widespread outages, cooperation between residents and utility providers is critical. Mangena stressed the importance of patience and understanding as City Power works to restore service to affected areas.
“We understand that power outages can be incredibly frustrating, especially during bad weather,” Mangena said. “We are doing our best to respond as quickly as possible and appreciate the community’s patience as we work to address these issues.”
Looking Ahead
While the current weather continues to pose challenges, City Power’s teams remain on high alert to respond to new outages as they arise. As repairs progress and the rain subsides, the entity is hopeful for a gradual restoration of services across affected areas.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, reduce electricity usage, and stay updated on the latest developments through City Power’s official channels.
