The blackouts occurred because the lines at Mandola, where DVB receives over 300 MW from the Northern grid were damaged due to the storm. This caused the Badarpur and IP Power stations to trip causing a shortfall in over 700 MW of power requirement for the city. As a result power supply to NDMC areas where much of the city's rich and famous stay was affected. Other areas affected included East Delhi, North West Delhi, Central and South Delhi.

An inquiry has been ordered into the breakdown. The three member committee will be headed by S.P. Agarwal.

DVB officials have been maintaining that the power situation will definitely improve since the load carrying capacity of the lines increases as the temperature falls -- but if last year's track record is anything to go by, such promises should be taken with a pinch of salt.Due to strong winds and storms, the overhead power lines simply snap, plunging areas of the city into darkness.

Last year, the power cuts and breakdowns continued well into the middle of August. One of the reasons advanced by DVB officials at the time was the high humidity. Since coolers don't work well, so people, especially in the city's more affluent areas use ACs instead. And this causes an impossible strain on an already weak system. But they could not explain even then, why areas like East Delhi where AC usage is comparatively low, still had to undergo long power breakdowns.

Meanwhile complaints of power cuts continue. According to P.R. Solanki of Pooth Kalan, just five days after Delhi CM, Sahib Singh Verma inagurated a new sub station in Rohini Sector 23, the power cuts occur for over 12 hours a day.Meanwhile residents of Ganesh Nagar have complained that for the past week there has been no power for over 3 hours during the day and for four hours in the evening.

In Ashok Nagar, residents complain that there has been no power in their area since 8 p.m. yesterday.