NEA: Weather disrupts power in Luzon, Visayas
Nearly 390,000 households across Luzon and the Visayas had power interruptions on Friday, caused by “extreme” weather conditions that hit several electric cooperatives (ECs).
In a statement, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said at least two power cooperatives suffered blackouts while nine others reported partial outages.
The La Union Electric Cooperative Inc. and the Pangasinan Electric Cooperative 1 had no power, as of Wednesday morning.
The services of Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative Inc., Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative, Benguet Electric Cooperative, Marinduque Electric Cooperative Inc., Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc., Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc., Zambales Electric Cooperative Inc. II, Pampanga Electric Cooperative Inc. II and Batangas Electric Cooperative, Inc. II likewise had disruptions.
“These ECs operate in areas where Typhoon ‘Emong’ traveled this week, combined with the effects of the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ and tropical cyclones ‘Dante’ and ‘Crising,’ which have already exited the Philippine area of responsibility,” the NEA said.
It noted that the outages were caused by the unavailability of transmission lines, toppled poles and heavy floods.
“Damage assessment is ongoing, and clearing and restoration activities will proceed once conditions are deemed safe,” the NEA added.
Earlier this week, NEA reported that the power distribution networks of certain electric cooperatives sustained minor damages and repair works had already begun.
Days of rain
NEA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD) reported that, as of July 21, Benguet Electric Cooperative, Mountain Province Electric Cooperative Inc. and Zambales II Electric Cooperative Inc. reported infrastructure damages totaling P1,149,894.47.
The main causes of power interruptions were attributed to landslides, floods and trees felled by the storms.
Crising struck the Philippines last week, bringing strong winds that enhanced southwest monsoon rains in several provinces across Luzon.
It threatened the operations of at least 24 ECs, all based in Luzon, according to the NEA-DRRMD
The NEA-DRRMD said that the effects of ‘Crising’ currently does not require the activation of Task Force “Kapatid,” considering that the affected ECs could handle the repairs on their own.
The NEA, however, noted it is ready to provide assistance at any time in collaboration with allied organizations.
