As torrential rain and powerful winds continued to wreak havoc across Meghalaya, the state’s power supply network suffered major setbacks, with extensive damage reported to transmission lines, distribution feeders, and transformers across multiple districts. In response to the widespread power outages, the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) activated its emergency protocols to assess damage and initiate rapid restoration.
“Due to the recent inclement weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds, several areas across the districts of the state Meghalaya have experienced disruption in power supply. The MePDCL/MePTCL/MePGCL immediately activated its emergency response protocols to assess the damage and restore electricity at the earliest,” stated the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, MeECL, Shillong.
Preliminary data from the Eastern Zone revealed intensive damage to both transmission and distribution infrastructure:
33 kV lines: Out of 2,794 km, 931 km were affected.
11 kV lines: Out of 19,767 km, 6,589 km were disrupted.
Low-tension lines: Of 37,563 km, 12,521 km experienced faults.
Feeder outages: 56 of 168 feeders on the 33 kV network and 120 of 360 feeders on the 11 kV network were affected.
Major blackout zones and impacted feeders include:
Shillong Area: 11kV Don Bosco, Ganesh Das, Polo-PHE & Nongmynsong MNREDA feeders; 33kV Nongthymmai (Mawlai to Kench’s Trace), NEHU Meter Factory, Ladsmit, Double Circuit Bara Bazaar, MES feeder at Sanibari, Mawlai Kench’s Trace and others.
Jaintia Hills: 11kV Khliehriat, PG, Rymbai, Lumshnong; 33kV Kuliang and 11kV Tongseng lines.
Ri Bhoi District: Umsning–Nongpoh section, 33kV Killing, EPIP-1; 11kV Umling, Jorabat, and Nongspung lines.
MeECL field teams have been working relentlessly under difficult terrain and weather to detect faults, replace damaged infrastructure, and restore power supply to affected households and institutions.
“Restoration is being carried out on a war footing,” the CMD emphasized, adding that “more than 50% of the affected lines were restored by 7 PM on May 30, 2025.”
Key highlights of the restoration efforts include:
Rapid deployment of additional manpower and materials from adjacent substations and divisions.
Prioritization of essential services, including hospitals, emergency installations, and water supply systems.
Coordination with local authorities to ensure timely and effective response.
Despite significant progress in urban areas, adverse weather continues to delay power restoration in remote rural regions. However, MeECL assured that dedicated teams are stationed across all affected locations and are working tirelessly to complete restoration in the shortest possible time.
In addition to the distribution network, several high-tension transmission lines (132kV) were also damaged, particularly in Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi districts:
- 132kV Mynkre–Khliehriat Line 2 suffered a broken jumper, leading to intermittent tripping of Myntdu-Leshka generators.
- 132kV Lumshnong–Panchgram Line was down due to snapped conductors at Chymplong village.
- 132kV Stage 4–Umtru Line 2 in Ri Bhoi was impacted by a landslide, with vegetation making contact with the line.
- 132kV Umtru–Stage 3 Line 1 was also rendered non-functional.
With swift deployment of maintenance personnel, MeECL confirmed that all four high-tension transmission lines were successfully restored by the evening of May 30, 2025.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by residents across the state, MeECL concluded with a message to the public:
“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of the public during this period. We assure you that all efforts are being made to fully normalize power supply in the shortest possible time.”
