Many under construction roads and underpasses were flooded due to accumulated rainwater and poor drainage. PHOTO: Mohammad Noman/EXPRESS
KARACHI: After weeks of scorching weather, the first monsoon showers of the year were met with equal parts joy and trepidation. The Meteorological Department’s predictions proved to be true, as Karachi experienced rainfall on both Wednesday and Thursday. While the respite from the heat was welcomed, the inevitable power outages were not – more than half the city was plunged into darkness.
Due to the rain, around 400 electricity feeders tripped throughout the city on Wednesday and 80 feeders tripped on Thursday due to the light and moderate showers.
The power breakdown affected almost all parts of the city but in a few areas electric supply was restored within a few hours as the rain stopped. K-Electric’s (K-E) restoration work continued in some areas, even after 18 hours of the power cut.
The main areas affected by the power suspension were Korangi, Landhi, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Malir, Federal B Area, Saddar, Gurumandir, Mehmoodabad, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Orangi Town, North Karachi and other adjoining areas.
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“Since the first drop of rain our electricity was gone and it was restored at 12pm on Thursday,” complained Osama Ausaf, who lives in Landhi. He said there was no rain throughout the night but electricity supply was only restored in the morning.
Complaining about the low voltage, Shagufta Salman said that the power shortage was resolved on Wednesday night but on Thursday the voltage was so low that even a single fan could not be turned on. “It is like there is no light at home,” said the resident of Defence View, adding that one phase was off for more than eight hours but was later fixed after a complaint was registered with K-E.
Laraib Ajmal, who is a resident of Liaquatabad, said that power supply has been disrupted since the rain started. “Electricity came back after the rain stopped at 4:30am but the supply has been fluctuating since then,” she added.
A resident of Gulistan-e-Hijri, Umaima Haider said that power had not been restored in their area since 6pm on Wednesday. “We have lodged complaints with K-E but so far the miseries of the people have not been cured,” she said. Similar complaints of power cuts for more than 24 hours were received from Scheme 33, Karachi University Employees Society, Madras Society and PCSIR Society. Several parts of Malir also suffered from prolonged disrupted power supply.
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Meanwhile, K-E’s Director of Marketing and Communications Sadia Dada said that the overall power supply system remained intact on the second day of the rain. K-E’s rapid response team maintained strict vigilance on Thursday as the city experienced another wave of rain, she said.
Very few feeders were affected on the second day and were re-energised swiftly, she claimed, adding that uninterrupted power supply to strategic installations such as the airport, major hospitals and Dhabeji pumping station was also ensured. K-E teams remained in the field to address localised faults and individual queries, assured Dada.
According to the power utility’s spokesperson, the helpline and ground teams continued to work round the clock to address any localised faults. Investments and upgrades in the power supply systems, operations and processes have aided the power utility in addressing issues and complaints with greater efficiency, said the spokesperson.
K-E urges the public to stay away from broken wires, poles and transformers during rainy and windy weather. The utility also urged citizens to refrain from using illegal means of obtaining electricity. “Around 80 feeders were affected due to Thursday’s rain and all have been restored,” the spokesperson claimed.
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