Significant progress has been made in restoring electricity supply to areas affected by severe weather conditions in the Eastern Cape over the past 48 hours.
Gale force winds, heavy snowfall, and damaging gusts have left thousands in the province without power earlier this week.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Eskom Eastern Cape Distribution, electricity had been restored to approximately 136 000 customers, marking a substantial improvement from 300 000 customers that were without power as of Tuesday morning.
“Some of the customers brough back online include over 50 000 in Umzimvubu and Elundini Local Municipalities, 15 000 within Port St Johns Local Municipality, and 20 000 customers in Tsolo within King Mhlontlo Local Municipality. Electricity to all these customers was restored yesterday evening [Tuesday].
“Eskom teams have resumed this morning to continue with the restoration efforts to the outstanding 164 000 customers in areas that include Qumbu, Matatiele, Mthatha, Ntabankulu, Bizana, Mqanduli, and Willowvalley,” Eskom said.
The entity has urged the remaining customers to be patient and to continue treating all electricity appliances as live during this period.
“As the weather is starting to clear, we trust that there will be access to some of the sites to speed up electricity supply restoration.”
Eskom has also urged affected customers to remain patient and treat all electrical appliances as live for safety reasons.
Customers are reminded to use the available platforms to report supply issues including:
• Alfred the Chatbot by connecting to https://alfred.eskom.co.za/chatroom/.
• USSD string: Dial *120*37566# on any mobile phones.
• MyEskom Customer App: Available on Google Play Store for Android devices and iPhone App Store for iPhone.
“Customers now have the option of contacting Eskom directly via WhatsApp on 08600 37566 to log a fault or use email: EasternCape@Eskom.co.za,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
SAnews
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