Storm topples high-voltage poles, obstructs road in Chanthaburi

A violent storm with strong winds toppled six 12-metre high-voltage electricity poles, obstructing a road and damaging a vehicle in Chanthaburi province. Police are working urgently to clear the area and restore normalcy.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms battered many parts of Chanthaburi province yesterday, with strong winds causing extensive damage. A fierce storm led to the collapse of six high-voltage electricity poles across the outbound lane of Bamrung Naradul Road, near Wat Cham Som (Somwanaram) in Moo 10, Saleng subdistrict, Mueang district. The incident occurred around 5.30pm yesterday, July 25.

The affected area, a curve on the outbound lane towards Khao Khitchakut district, was littered with six fallen high-voltage electricity poles, three streetlight poles, and a large tree, blocking traffic for over 300 metres. The monsoon season currently affects Thailand, bringing heavy rainfall to the central, eastern, and Bangkok regions.

Police from the Chanthaburi Provincial Police Station and rescue volunteers had to close the traffic lane and open a detour to manage the rush hour traffic. Additionally, one local car travelling through the area was damaged by the falling poles. No injuries were reported.

The Provincial Electricity Authority quickly cut off the power supply in the affected area to prevent any danger to the public. Workers, equipped with machinery and tools, rushed to the scene to repair the damage, replacing the poles and transmission lines. Meanwhile, the Highways Department sent personnel to remove the fallen streetlight poles and trees from the road to clear the traffic lane.

An official from the Provincial Electricity Authority revealed that residents reported strong winds in the evening, which caused the high-voltage poles to collapse across the road. Upon inspection, they found that the fallen poles were 12 metres high and carried a transmission voltage of 22,000 volts.

Six poles and their transmission lines were damaged, but the exact cost of the damage has yet to be determined. Initially, the electricity supply was cut off within the vicinity of Wat Cham Som and nearby areas in Moo 10, Saleng subdistrict, to ensure safety while repairs were conducted. The electricity authority is working to restore the electricity supply to normal as soon as possible, reported KhaoSod.