Frequent power cuts test Lahore’s patienced
An AFP file image
Unscheduled power outages are on the rise in the provincial capital along with an increase in mercury level across the province.
People from various areas of the city complained on Saturday about unscheduled load-shedding and frequent power failures in their neighbourhoods.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, several citizens complained that unscheduled power outages were disrupting routine life in different areas of the provincial metropolis. Residents from a neighbourhood in Ghari Shahu also staged a protest demonstration against the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco).
They highlighted that the power utility company had failed to ensure consistent supply of electricity in their area. One to two hours of loadshedding besides frequent power tripping had become routine in their area, they said.
A resident of the locality, Sheikh Naveed, pointed out that the power transformer of their area had exploded twice during past the two weeks. Residents of the area had made numerous complaints to Lesco for replacement of the under-capacity transformer but officials of the power company were not paying attention to their complaints, he said.
Another citizen, Shafiq Shah, said that unscheduled load-shedding and frequent tripping had also created shortage of water supply in his neighbourhood. “Our life has become miserable without power supply but no respite is being provided by Lesco.”
He added that residents of his neighbourhood were facing two consecutive hours of loadshedding every day. “This is the provincial capital and citizens of certain areas are suffering 5-6 hours of loadshedding in the scorching summer heat.”
A Lesco official indicated that due to an increase in demand, the company was also facing the challenge of an electricity shortfall. “We are getting limited supply from the national grid against the high demand of electricity,” he disclosed.
Responding to a question, he added that power tripping and failures were a result of system overload.
Reportedly, the company had deployed maximum resources to resolve consumers’ complaints on priority but it still had to face difficulties as the complaints have also multiplied.
While the problems caused by the frequent and prolonged load-shedding persisted, the weather forecast indicated that the citizens might get relief from the heat in the coming days.
The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) announced that a new weather system has entered the country, which will bring rain in several areas.
The weather report issued by the PMD highlights that a seasonal low lies over northeast Balochistan. Weak moist currents are penetrating northeastern parts of the country and were likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours. A fresh westerly wave was also affecting the upper parts of the country.
The department said rain and thunderstorm with isolated heavy fall was expected in Kashmir, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin.
It said rainfall was also expected in Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot districts.
Hot and humid weather with dust-raising winds is expected in all other districts of the province.
The weather pattern is likely to persist in most of the districts of the province in the coming days with rain also expected in Sahiwal, Okara and Pakpattan districts.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2020