Chennai: Most parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, barring Andhra Pradesh, went without power for several hours on September 26, following a 'Southern grid failure', which tripped the 400 KV line from Cuddappah in Andhra Pradesh to Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on September 26 morning, throwing normal life out of gear.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board sources said on September 26 evening that the tripping had affected the state grid, bringing to a halt power generation in Ennore, North Madras and Tuticorin thermal plants. Only Mettur thermal power station was now working.

With the Tuticorin units having now been restored, the board had restored around 60 per cent supply in several parts of Chennai and other towns in the state. Normalcy would be restored after 22:00 hours (IST) night, the sources said, adding that the state had lost nearly 800 MW of power on account of the tripping.

Electric train services were not disrupted. Power was restored within a couple of hours in places like the state Secretariat, Raj Bhavan and other major government offices.

Karnataka Minister of State for energy, Basavaraj Patil, said that the power supply was affected throughout the state for five hours due to the 'Southern grid failure'.

In Kerala, the 400 KV line between Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu and Madakathara (near Thrissur) tripped, resulting in power failure from 10:00 hours 11:00 hours (IST) in the entire state.

In Andhra Pradesh, the state "survived" despite grid disturbances.

PTI