Major Power Outage Hits Central London, Thousands Affected

A major power outage hit Central London on Thursday evening, affecting thousands of residents and causing widespread disruption. The blackout started around 6:30 PM local time and lasted for nearly three hours, impacting several key neighborhoods such as Soho, Covent Garden, and parts of Westminster.

Cause of the Outage

The city’s main electrical grid experienced a technical fault. London Power, the primary energy supplier, confirmed the issue originated from a key substation in the City of London. Engineers later identified the root cause as a transformer failure triggered by an unexpected surge in demand combined with extreme weather conditions, including high winds and rain earlier in the day.

Impact on the City

• Traffic and Public Transport: Traffic lights failed during peak rush hour, causing significant congestion. Police and traffic wardens manually controlled intersections to maintain safety. Public transport services faced delays, with fewer trains running on the London Underground’s affected lines and some bus routes temporarily rerouted.
• Businesses and Public Services: Numerous shops, restaurants, and theaters shut down temporarily, and some buildings were evacuated as a precaution. Hospitals operated on backup generators to prioritize critical care.
• Residents and Commuters: Thousands of people were left without electricity, leading to challenges in daily activities and travel.

Response and Recovery

Emergency services acted promptly to the crisis, and London Power engineers worked overnight to restore electricity. City officials pledged a full investigation into the incident, with Mayor Sadiq Khan highlighting the need to upgrade London’s aging power grid to prevent future outages.

Advice and Precautions

1. Residents are encouraged to prepare for emergencies by having backup supplies.
2. London Power advises avoiding the use of high-demand appliances until the grid stabilizes.
3. Customers experiencing ongoing power issues should report them via the newly established hotline.
4. Stay informed through official channels for further updates.

Despite the disruption, many Londoners appreciated the swift and clear communication from utility workers and local authorities during the outage. For more updates, stay tuned to Questiqa Europe News.

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