Ranchi, April 30: The thundershowers were a welcome respite from the scorching summer heat. However, the power tripped and the state was plunged into darkness. A final stock taking carried out by the Jharkhand state electricity board (JSEB) today revealed that four towers on the main supply lines collapsed during yesterday’s storm.

The collapsed towers —Daltonganj, Garhwa, Chandil-Santaldih and Hatia-Sikidiri sections — disrupted power supply from the NTPC as well as the state and central grids.

Sources at the JSEB said restoration work has been initiated today. However, it might take three to seven days before all the four towers are put up again, they added.

JSEB officials said on normal days, the peak time demand was around 550 MW.

But, following the collapse of towers, only 380 MW of electricity was being produced, thus resulting in power cuts across the state. “The situation is unlikely to improve till the towers are reconstructed,” a senior official said.

To add to the woes of the people, power generation in the state continues to be restricted to 130 MW from three units at Patratru Thermal Power station (PTPS) against a peak time demand of 550 MW.

JSEB member (generation) K.P. Sinha said a portion of the shortfall was being made up by running the Sikidiri hydel unit near Ranchi, which generates around 130 MW in the evening hours, during the peak hours.

Sinha stressed that the deficit, which was estimated at around 290 MW, was being drawn from the central pool. “We are currently drawing from the eastern regional electricity board at 50 plus frequency. We will have to pay at a rate of Rs.1.50 to Rs.1.70 per kilowatt which is much lower than the NTPC rates of Rs.2.46,” said Sinha.