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Electricity restored to half of Zambia after 5 days of blackout

Xinhua, November 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zambia's electricity utility has restored power to five provinces that were plunged into darkness following the tripping of a transmission line after a fault, the country's vice-president confirmed on Friday.

Last Saturday, five provinces were plunged into darkness following a severe fault that occurred on a 330 kilovolt transmission line in central Zambia's Serenje district after lightning struck the line.

Vice-President Inonge Wina said power was restored to the five provinces last night after finishing the repair work.

"This was one of the most disturbing natural calamities this country has ever experienced," she said during a question and answer session in parliament.

She said the damage caused to the system was colossal and that the power utility spent 1.5 million U.S. dollars to repair.

She also apologized for the inconvenience caused to businesses and people in the affected areas.

A spokesperson from the power utility told local media that it took time to repair the damage because of heavy rains in the area.

The affected provinces include Northern, Luapula, Muchinga, Northern and some parts of central Zambia. Endit