The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said a thunderstorm has caused the snapping of the 132kV Otukpo –Nsukka – New Haven transmission line. 

Spokesperson of the agency, Ndidi Mba, said the cut conductor fell near tower 97 along the route, with the high-voltage discharge from the fallen conductor torching a house, burning a car parked under the transmission line and killing two cows along the route. 

She said the Regional Manager of TCN, Enugu Region, Tom Inugonum, and his team visited the site of the incident for an on-the-ground assessment of the incident. 

Mba noted that TCN’s Quick Response Line Maintenance Team has also been deployed to the site and has since commenced dismantling the damaged section of the line in preparation for restringing a new conductor.

Despite the disruption, she said in a release that there has been no load loss to the Nsukka area, which is normally supplied through the affected transmission line. 

Mba added that TCN has implemented a temporary alternative power supply arrangement by diverting bulk electricity through the Otukpo 132kV Transmission Substation to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for onward distribution to the Nsukka axis.

She called on Nigerians to avoid building, parking, or engaging in any activities within the transmission lines’ right-of-way (RoW), stressing that such encroachments are extremely dangerous and pose serious risks to lives and property.