Over 4 million hit by power interruptions caused by Paeng

Over 4 million Filipinos experienced power interruptions due to Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae), the highest number of power consumers affected by interruption so far this year.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said 4.058 million customers were affected by momentary and sustained power interruptions due to Paeng.

Out of the total, some 504,234 customers remained without power as of 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 30, the bulk of whom were in Laguna, Cavite, and in parts of Batangas, Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, and Quezon.

“We ask for our customers’ patience and understanding since we could not give a definite time on when service will be restored,” Meralco Spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said in an advisory.

“Rest assured that our ground personnel and line crews are working round the clock to restore power the soonest possible time,” he added.

Unavailable transmission lines

The latest data available from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) indicate that several transmission lines remain unavailable as of 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Among the lines are the Cabanatuan-San Luis 69kV Line, the Cabanatuan-Fatima 69kV Line, the Gumaca-Lopez-Tagkawayan 69kV Line, the Pitogo-Mulanay 69kV Line, the Batangas-Bolbok-Bauan 69 kV Line, the Famy-Comon 69kV Line, and the Calaca-Nasugbu 69kV Line.

Also affected are backbone lines including the San Juan-Calauan 230kV Line 1, the Tayabas-Naga 230kV Line 2, and the Tayabas-Pagbilao 230kV Line 1.

The NGCP said it deployed 73 line gangs made up of nearly 600 personnel and four choppers to inspect and assess the impact of Tropical Storm Paeng on its operations and facilities.

It was also conducting aerial inspections and simultaneous restoration activities in accessible areas.

“Please note that this update pertains only to the status of the transmission network. Localized disturbances may be better addressed by your distribution utility,” the NGCP said.

“This also does not include lines exclusively serving directly connected industrial customers,” it added.

Tropical Storm Paeng continues to move west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea with over four areas in Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, according to the latest advisory of the state weather bureau.

At least 48 fatalities have been reported while almost a million were affected by Tropical Storm Paeng. — DVM, GMA News