By Matšeliso Phulane
Severe storms and snow in the highlands of Lesotho have caused a major power outage, the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) has announced.
The extreme weather conditions have severely impacted power transmission lines, leading to widespread disruptions.
According to a statement by the LEC, the transmission line from Khukhune to Mokhotlong has been particularly affected.
The company noted that due to the inaccessibility of the area by land, arrangements were underway for the Lesotho Defence Force to assist with a helicopter to conduct aerial investigations to identify the exact locations of the faults.
“This initiative is crucial for understanding the full extent of the damage and determining the necessary steps for restoration.
“In addition, our technical teams have identified a fault on the Pitseng to Lejone network,” the statement said, adding that immediate and urgent measures were being undertaken to restore power as swiftly as possible.
As a result of the disruptions, major mining operations at Kao, Liqhobong, and Letšeng mines are currently without power. Mokhotlong town, Mapholaneng and Tlokoeng are also affected.
LEC said it understood the significant impact this had on their operations and was prioritising restoring power to these critical infrastructures.
“We extend our sincere apologies to all affected customers for the inconvenience caused by this unexpected outage. The LEC is committed to restoring power as quickly and safely as possible. Our teams are working around the clock to remedy the faults and ensure a stable supply of electricity.
“We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and as progress is made in the restoration efforts,” it added.
