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By Laarni Sibayan-Ilagan
Typhoon Carinaβs aftermath of extreme heavy rainfall and strong winds on the night of July 24, 2024, left the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) with damages worth 2.4 million.
A substation recloser equipment worth more than a million, seven collapsed/damaged poles, and three transformers made up the bulk of the P2.3 million damage to BENECO’s distribution system, as of 12 noon of July 25. The cost of damage is expected to increase, as more reports come in from the far-flung areas of Benguet.
As of 12 noon of July 25, the EC has restored power to 97.50 % of its affected Baguio City consumers. Ninety linemen alternated in the last 24 hours to address reports from consumers, local government units (LGUs), and partner government line agencies of no light.
Landslides that caused damage to poles and made roads unpassable hampered the restoration efforts in Atok while linemen had to grapple with heavy rains and strong winds to correct low sagging wires in Kapangan and Kibungan
Power in these two towns was restored at noon today. The remaining towns of Benguet are almost 100% restored.
The co-op has also advised its consumers to expect intermittent power interruptions in the next couple of days due to the unpredictability of the weather brought about by the typhoon.
βBENECO has been monitoring Typhoon Carina since Sunday. This triggers for the activation of the electricity restoration teams in consonance with BENECO’s disaster mitigation plans. And right now the assessment team reports the extent of damages on the field, in addition to the reports from communities, while, we safely restore other affected areas in parallel, said. (LSI)
