Residents face longer power outages

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company (Hesco) has announced an increase in the number of hours of power cuts across Hyderabad and other parts of the province.

Hesco currently needs 1,750 megawatts but is facing a shortage of 600MW, which is why it had announced daily power cuts for as long as eight hours in the cities and between 10 to 12 hours in rural areas across the province.

Residents complained, however, that they were facing daily power cuts for as long as 12 to 14 hours.

They added that the businesses were already facing losses due to the government’s insistence on closing markets by 8 pm and these unannounced power cuts were adding to their trouble.

Appliances are breaking down and burning out in Sukkur as well as other parts of the province due to irregular voltage supplies as well as unannounced and prolonged power cuts.

Residents of Rohri, Panu Aqil, Ghotki, Dherki, Guddu, Kashmore, Kandhkot, Jacobabad, Mehar, Dadu, Faiz Ganj and Khairpur expressed their frustration over the daily power cuts that go on for as long as 14 hours.

They also complained of water shortages across the province as a result of these power outages.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2010.