Transformer failures rise in Adilabad, Nirmal amid higher power demand

Transformer failures have increased in Adilabad and Nirmal amid higher electricity demand and irrigation needs. NPDCL figures show year-on-year rises in October failures. Officials cite voltage fluctuations and overloading, while farmers face prolonged dry conditions and seek water for crops

Adilabad: Both Adilabad and Nirmal districts saw a significant spurt in failures of transformers due to overload of power and fluctuations with farmers increasingly using motors to pump water to irrigate crops that are on the verge of getting withered in the wake of El Nino pattern.

NPDCL officials said that Adilabad district registered 181 transformer failures from October 1 to 25 as against 141 in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting a rise by 28 per cent. The district recorded 117 transformer failures in September and 88 in August when compared to 110 failures in September and 74 in August of last year.

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Similarly, Nirmal district experienced 452 transformer failures from October 1 to October 25 when compared to 356 failures in the same period of 2025, posting an increase by 27 percent. The district saw 228 failures in September and 225 failures in August as against 229 and 165 in the corresponding period of last year.

On an average, seven transformers are developing failures and technical glitches, disrupting power supply in the two districts a day. Fluctuations in supply, low-voltage and overload are attributed to the failure of the transformers. The transformers are being repaired at three centres in Adilabad district and similar facilities in Nirmal district.

The NPDCL officials noted that defunct transformers were being replaced with functioning ones within 24 hours from rolling stock if reported through local linemen and staffers of NPDCL. Dedicated vehicles are being used to transport the dysfunctional transformers. They advised farmers to get support from the department by dialing toll free number 1912.

On the other hand, consumption of power has gone up drastically in the two districts. For instance, Adilabad district is seeing a demand of 2.50 Mega Units (MU) per day as against daily allocation 1.29 MUs, showing a jump by 93 percent. In Nirmal, 4.16 MUs of power is being drawn every day when compared to daily supply of 2.44 MUs. The consumption has risen by 70 per cent.

The authorities reasoned that paddy and cotton farmers were extracting water to irrigate crops owing to prolonged dry spell, resulting in a considerable rise in demand for electricity.

 

Infrastructure & Power Statistics

Metric	Adilabad	Nirmal
Total Connections	2.48 lakh	3.67 lakh
Agriculture Connections	30,000	78,651
Sub-stations	58	91
Transformers	12,000	21,500
Daily Demand	2.50 MUs	4.16 MUs
Daily Supply	1.29 MUs	2.44 MUs

 

Transformer Failures Comparison (2025 vs. 2026)

District	Period	2025 Failures	2026 Failures
Adilabad	August	74	88
	September	110	117
	Up to October 25	141	181
Nirmal	August	165	225
	September	229	228
	Up to October 25	356	452