Srinagar- At a time when growing inflation is wrecking nerves in Kashmir, power cuts have just augmented Kashmir’s suffering populace. Unscheduled power cuts during the time of Sehri and Iftar are taking a heavy toll on people observing the fasting month of Ramazan.
Although, unscheduled power cuts are nothing unusual in Kashmir, people say during the fasting month the power scenario was much better during past years.
Srinagarities say despite assurances from the administration that there won’t be power cuts during the time of sehri and iftar, they have been made to fend for themselves in the fasting month.
“Initially, there was an uninterrupted power supply. But since the past one week, a massive power outage has turned the administration’s promise into a nightmare for us” said Zaid Bin Shabir, a journalist by profession.
“Sehri and Iftaar are the only times when the power outage strikes and that is the time we need electricity the most” he said.
“Unscheduled and uneven power cuts disrupt normalcy especially during crucial times of Ramazan” said Sheikh Arsh who lives in civil lines area of Srinagar.
“It is sad that we have to compromise on a basic need of life” she added.
Authorities put the blame on the ever rising temperatures and the rainfall deficit that the Kashmir valley is witnessing.
Chief Engineer Kashmir Power development Corporation Ltd (KPDCL) said that the problem is not specific to Kashmir as other states are also witnessing electricity shortages.
He said this year there is a rainfall deficit of around 70 percent which has resulted in more demand for electricity
“There is a gap between the demand and supply and rainfall deficit has hit electricity generation badly” he said.
The Power projects operating on Chenab including Baghlihar and Salal are producing less electricity.
He further said the use of heaters by people and other appliances is also responsible for the power shortages.
“We usually have a demand of 1000 MVs which reaches 1600MVs during sehri, so there is an extra demand of 600 MVs”.
Another reason he said is the less availibity of coal.
However, he pinned hope that with the increased coal imports, the power scenario will get better across the country.
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