PESHAWAR, Aug 4 The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) has suffered a financial loss of Rs2.5 billion in the flash floods that hit 18 districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The public utility has temporarily restored power supply to 75 per cent areas; however, complete restoration will take four months time, Mohammad Wali, Chief Executive Officer Pesco told a press conference here on Wednesday.

The flash floods, he said, had damaged 25 of the total 90 grid stations of the Pesco within hours. Similarly, 132kv Madyan grid station had completely been wiped out, while 650 distribution lines and 211 feeders of 11kv were damaged in the floods.

He said the restoration work was in progress in all those areas, where access roads were intact, adding so far 20 grid stations and 200 feeders had been energised. He further explained that Swat and Shangla, Charsadda and Nowshera districts were worst affected. However, overall 75 per cent restoration of power supply had been ensured, he claimed.

Mr Wali said accessibility to the sites was a major issue, adding standing floodwater was restricting movements of the restoration teams. He said in Nowshera city complete restoration of power supply would take two more days, while 90 per cent power supply had been resorted in Charsadda district.

Giving details about the damages, Mr Wali said 50 pylons on 132kv transmission lines, 500 kilometer 11kv line, 1,710 transformers and 100,000 meters had been destroyed in the floods.

Swat, he said, had suffered the most damages, adding restoration of power supply to Mingora and its adjoining areas would take two weeks, while Khawzakhela power supply lines would be energised within three weeks.

He said Madyan grid station had completely been uprooted and its reconstruction would take one and a half years if the land was made available. He, however, explained that the area would be provided electricity from the nearby Khawzakhela grid station provided the access to the area was made possible.

To a question, the Pesco chief explained that the public utility was utilising development funds for restoration of the existing power supply network; however, for major reconstruction work it would approach the government. He said all the power distribution companies had been directed to assist the Pesco in restoration of power supply.