May 1, 2006	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 2, 1427

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QUETTA, April 30: Some 15 districts of Balochistan plunged into darkness on Saturday night when a huge electricity pylon of a 220 KV power transmission line collapsed following a thunderstorm. According to reports, the thunderstorm hit different parts of the province, including Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Sibi, Mach, Quetta and many other areas. Power supply from the Guddo-Sibi transmission line remained suspended to a vast area of the province.

Officials of the Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) said that the thunderstorm had brought down the electricity pylon. “It was not the outcome of a subversive act,” said the chief executive officer of Qesco.

“Power supply to at least 15 districts was badly affected due to this incident,” he said. “The province will have to face around 16 hours of loadshedding to cover the shortage of power supply from the main transmission line,” he added.

Engineers and other staff were rushed to the site to repair the electricity tower.

Qesco officials said it would take at least a week to repair the tower.