Bereng Mpaki
THE Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) says extreme weather conditions are hampering efforts to return electricity supply in some parts of the country.
However, the power utility has taken “alternative measures” to reach inaccessible areas by using government-owned helicopters to fly the maintenance team.
According to an LEC press release, electricity supply had been interrupted mostly in the mountainous areas of the country due to heavy snowfall since last Sunday.
As of yesterday, Mokhotlong and Thaba-Tseka districts did not have electricity for almost a week.
Other areas that were affected by the power outages include Qacha’s Nek, parts of Quthing, parts of Mafeteng and Ha Mohale in Maseru, although power had since been restored in Qacha’s Nek, Ha Mohale and parts of Quthing with the exception of Mphaki.
“The unplanned interruption on power supply is a result of inclement weather conditions the country is currently facing,” read the statement.
LEC said urgent measures had been taken to restore electricity in some parts of the country although many remote places were still inaccessible for repairs due to snow-packed roads.
“With the roads inaccessible, LEC has already embarked on alternative measures of hiring and utilising government-owned helicopters to fly the maintenance team to the affected places in order to restore electricity.
“Another helicopter that specialises in tower construction has also been hired from a South African company to transport materials and manpower needed to restore the power lines. Letšeng Diamond Mine has extended its hand to assist LEC in making this restoration work a success.”
LEC Public Relations Officer, Phumla Moleko, told the Sunday Express a number of electrical faults had been identified in different locations due to the heavy snowfall.
She said a steel tower fell in Mokhotlong thereby interrupting supply in the area. However, Moleko said a maintenance team was already fixing the problem.
Comments are closed.