Karachi hit by major power breakdown

Several neighbourhoods of the metropolis plunge into darkness just before sehri

KARACHI: More than half of Karachi has plunged into darkness after a major breakdown in the distribution system of K-Electric, the electric-energy corporation involved in generating, transmitting, and distributing electrical power to over 23 million citizens of the mega city.

“The breakdown was caused by tripping in 500KV Jamshoro line,” K-Electric spokesperson Saadia Dada told The Express Tribune. "The KE distribution system remained intact. Outage was triggered due to EHT tripping in 500KV Jamshoro line (National Grid). Due to cascading effect 50 to 60% of the city was affected," the spokesperson added.

According to reports, the power breakdown— which took place two hours before sehri—affected several neighbourhoods of the city, including PECHS Block 2, Shah Faisal Colony, Surjani Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal 13-D, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Saudabad, Sir Syed Town, North Karachi, Superhighway, Hyderi, Liaquatabad, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Malir Halt, Rafah-e-Aam, Airport, Numaish, Keamari, Jackson, Kharadar, Hawksbay, Shadman Town, and Federal-B Area.

The current power interruption is due to Extra High Tension tripping in Jamshoro 500 KV line. pic.twitter.com/bTAUND4RuE

— KE (@KElectricPk) May 27, 2017

The main transmission line of K-electric tripped in Hub, just outside Karachi, causing eleven more grid stations to trip, according to media report. Karachi Water Board sources say that all pumping stations have also stopped functioning.

Similarly, several districts of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Matyari, Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar have also been without power supply for several hours. A spokesperson for the Hyderabad Electricity Supply Corporation (HESCO), Muhammad Sadiq, says that 76 grid stations of the utility in 13 districts have shut.

He adds that the 500KV Jamshoro transmission line tripped, triggering the power breakdown in the province.

The K-Electric spokesperson admitted that the breakdown affected 50 to 60% of the city, according to media reports. The spokesperson apologised to Karachiites for the breakdown.

The KE later said it might take two or three hours to restore power to the affected areas.

Restoration work is underway. pic.twitter.com/NseLG5Nt40

— KE (@KElectricPk) May 28, 2017

Separately, the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board said that owing to the power outage in the pumping stations many areas of the metropolis might not receive water.