Electricity supply was restored in 1,197 villages across Gujarat within hours of disruption caused by heavy rainfall and cyclonic conditions, Government Spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani announced on Tuesday, 28 July. More than 900 specialised teams comprising over 3,400 power personnel were deployed on the ground under emergency conditions to carry out the restoration work.

Scale of the Damage

The adverse weather battered Gujarat's power infrastructure significantly. According to Vaghani, the storms damaged 2,575 power feeders, 1,464 electricity poles, and nearly 5,000 transformers across the state. The scale of the damage underscored the severity of the cyclonic conditions that swept through the region.

What the Government Said

Vaghani, speaking to the media after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, said that while power disruptions during heavy rainfall and natural disasters are unavoidable, Gujarat's response mechanism had enabled significantly faster restoration compared to earlier years. 'During the recent heavy rains in Gujarat, electricity supply was restored within a few hours in 1,197 affected villages,' he said.

The Cabinet formally congratulated the Energy Department for its prompt response. 'The Cabinet congratulated the entire department for its prompt and commendable efforts,' Vaghani added. Chief Minister Patel specifically acknowledged the dedication of field personnel who worked through challenging weather conditions to restore normalcy.

Safety of Field Personnel Prioritised

Chief Minister Patel directed officials to ensure that worker safety remains the highest priority during all restoration operations. He noted that personnel sometimes forgo safety equipment in the rush to complete work quickly — a practice he explicitly cautioned against. 'Patel instructed that there should be no compromise on the safety and security of power department staff during restoration operations,' Vaghani said.

The Chief Minister further directed that all field personnel must be equipped with prescribed protective gear before deployment, and that authorities should provide additional modern tools and safety facilities wherever required to enable safer and more efficient restoration work.

Context and Significance

Gujarat has historically faced prolonged power outages following major natural calamities. Officials noted that the Energy Department's improved emergency response framework has markedly reduced restoration time compared to past incidents. This comes amid a broader pattern of extreme weather events intensifying across western India during the monsoon season, placing recurring pressure on state power grids and emergency infrastructure.