Typhoon “Ruby” cuts off power in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar

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MANILA — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said power in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar went down Saturday, as typhoon “Ruby” passed the area.

“NGCP’s power transmission service in Northern Samar is affected by typhoon Ruby due to the tripping at 12:12 p.m. of the 69kV Palanas cara-Catarman-Bobolosan/Allen lines transmitting power to the NORSAMELCO,” it said Saturday on its twitter account.

Also, “NGCP’s power transmission service in Eastern Samar is affected by typhoon Ruby due to the tripping at 11:04 a.m. of the 69kV Taft Feeder transmitting power to the ESAMELCO,” NGCP said Saturday on its twitter account.

The nation’s grid operator said restoration measures will start as soon as the weather permits.

Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, in a radio interview, said Saturday that distribution lines, which source power from transmission lines, may topple along the path of typhoon “Ruby” due to its vulnerability.

“Depends on distribution lines, if they are old, then there is a possibility that it will fall,” he said.

Moreover, the energy head expressed worry on the temporary structures that provide grid connections in Cebu, Samar, Leyte and Panay, since permanent structures folded to typhoon “Yolanda” last year, but not as sturdy compared to permanent ones.

Petilla said that permanent structures take a year to be completed.

Further, the Energy Secretary said that he does not expect the typhoon to cause a total devastation upon the electrical facilities and equipment.

“However, the good thing about this, upon reaching 150 kilometers per hour (kph) – 160 kph this is not a total devastation… If it reaches 200, it will topple,” he said.

Petilla said the Department of Energy (DOE) is prepared to restore power to the grid, as soon as possible.

“We know the situation already, so we are ready to restore the falling towers. We are prepared to restore as soon as possible,” he said.