First monsoon rain leaves Sukkur without electricity for hours

SUKKUR: As the first monsoon rains in Sukkur on Monday night relieved people of the hot and humid weather, the downpour also brought with it much misery as the electricity disappeared, which the power utility blamed on the snapping of conductors.

Power supply to over 100 feeders remained suspended overnight, which, in some parts, was restored in the morning and, in many others, has yet to be restored.



The downpour began at around 12:30am and continued till 2:45am. The rain, coupled with strong winds, flooded almost all the main roads and streets. In some areas, rainwater mixed with sewage and entered the low-lying houses as newly constructed drains are already choked with building material and garbage. To add to the misery of residents, power supply to the entire city was disrupted as soon as the downpour began, with residents forced to have their sehri in the dark.

According to residents, Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) officials were unavailable to offer any explanation or information regarding the power failure. However, an official at the Site grid station requesting anonymity said even though the conductors can snap as a result of a few strong winds and rain, the Sepco officials in fact welcome the snapping of conductors. He explained that this is because it enables them to cover the line losses incurred due to the huge power theft - which also happens with their connivance.

Similar fate for Khairpur and Shikarpur

Khairpur and Shikarpur braved a similar situation where power supply in many areas has yet to be restored. According to residents of Khairpur, rain and sewage accumulated on all the main roads of the city as rainwater-collecting drains were choked. The situation in Shikarpur was not different from Sukkur and Khairpur as rainwater accumulated on the city's roads as well.



Sepco public relations officer Manzoor Hussain Soomro was unavailable for comments. An official at Power Dispatch Centre, Sukkur, told The Express Tribune that power supply to around 150 feeders was disrupted overnight due to the heavy rainfall. He added that power supply to most of the urban and rural feeders have been restored.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2016.