Unannounced power outages test patience of twin cities

Electricity supply continues to play hide and seek with residents

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:

Unannounced and intermittent power outages of up to 10 hours have started to test the nerves of the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company has resorted to frequent and unannounced load-shedding after a fault hit the national grid on Thursday.

The unannounced load-shedding has badly affected routine life and businesses in the twin cities. Hospitals and other vitals service providers are also bearing the brunt of the power cuts and the IESCO has failed to update consumers about the power outages.

Due to long hours of load shedding, the water supply is also affected resulting in a water shortage for daily usage including clean drinking water.

According to the IESCO officials, electricity will be restored as soon as there is a difference in supply and demand in the IESCO region.

Yesterday, several areas of Rawalpindi including Westridge, Satellite Town, Sadiqabad, Chakri, Gawalmandi, Misrial Road, Chauhar Harpal, Naseerabad, Raja Bazar, Tench Bhata, Harley Street, Chaklala Scheme 3 and some of the rural areas went through prolonged power outage with rural areas facing load shedding for longer durations than the urban areas.

As per reports, several areas were going through constant power outages for consecutive 2-3 hours due to which the water supply of the area was badly affected with the closure of many filtration plants of both the city and the Cantonment area.

As a result, citizens were deprived of clean drinking water as well.

According to the IESCO spokesperson, there is a temporary difference in the demand and supply of electricity in the IESCO region.

Electricity load is being managed to minimize the demand and supply difference.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2022.