Storm damages ZESCO power lines

CAESAR MBEWE writes

Heavy rains in Lusaka’s Makeni Villa have damaged ZESCO power lines and a transformer leaving many houses in darkness for three days.
Residents told the Sun that the wind and the heavy rains that hit the area for two days had left a trail of destruction, bringing down power lines and damaging a transformer serving the area.
The residents said they immediately reported the matter to ZESCO who quickly responded and was now working on the problem.
One of the residents, Jacob Phiri said the day of the incident he lost some of the house appliances, among them were, two refrigerators and a subwoofer.
“On the 16th of this month the rains came with a wind which damaged the power lines and a transformer, at that time I wasn’t home so no one was there to unplug the appliances and I can’t blame ZESCO because it is a natural disaster,” said Mr Phiri
Another resident who also lost some appliance, Martha Mulenga said if the heavy rains continued they may bring more damage to the area because first it was power supply which was disrupted and now floods have blocked most of the roads in area.
“I lost my electrical appliances caused by a natural disaster and if these rains continue more damage will be experienced, already most roads in the area are inaccessible due to flooding so we don’t even know where to complain to,” said Ms Mulenga.
Meanwhile ZESCO spokesperson, Henry Kapata told the Sun in a phone interview that the company was doing everything possible to restore power in the area.
Mr. Kapata said it was up to the residents also to make sure to unplug their appliances whenever there were power cuts or when it was raining because lightning was dangerous.
“We are doing whatever we can to restore power as soon as possible and to those who lost their appliances we are sorry but let this be an example to always unplug your electrical appliances whenever there are power cuts to void such accidents,” Mr Kapata said.