Flooding shuts KSEB 110 kV substation at Kaloor, Kochi

What happened

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) shut down its 110 kV substation at Kaloor in Kochi after heavy rain and flooding on the morning of Monday 21 October 2019. Around 10 acres of the substation site, opposite Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, were flooded, and water inside the control room reached knee level. Nearly half of Kochi city lost power, including Kaloor, Palarivattom, Kathrikadavu and Ernakulam North. The Fire and Rescue Services Department pumped water out of the compound with about 10 pump sets, and a heavy-duty pump from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) was also used.

The pumps laid across Banerjee Road caused major traffic delays. KSEB said it would test the lines and control room equipment once the water receded, and expected to restore the substation fully by Tuesday evening if the rain stayed away.

Contributing factors

A KSEB official blamed KMRL and the Kochi corporation, saying the main drain had been filled during construction of the metro line and station at the stadium. A Kochi corporation official said a pipe culvert near the KSEB compound, which had carried water to the Edappally or Perandoor canal, was filled abruptly, leaving no channel for water to flow and flooding the compound. These are claims by the parties and were not tested by the source.

Lessons learned

1. Substations in low-lying urban areas need a flood risk assessment that covers the drains and culverts around the site, not only the site itself.
2. Nearby construction that alters drainage, such as rail or road works, should be reviewed by the asset owner before culverts or drains are filled or diverted.
3. Control rooms and protection equipment should be raised above credible flood levels, or protected by barriers and pumps that are on site before heavy rain.
4. A planned procedure for testing equipment after flooding helps restore supply quickly and safely once the water recedes.

Source

newindianexpress.com