Residents suffer as severe power outages continue in Shangla

Alpuri: Residents of Shangla are grappling with an ongoing electricity crisis as severe power outages persist, disrupting daily life in the region. Frequent power cuts, lasting two to three hours, have become a routine for dwellers of Alpuri, the district’s headquarters, and surrounding areas.

The local residents said that despite the installation of a new line from the Kotki Grid Station, the power fault issue remains unresolved. They said that they were experiencing power outages that often extend for up to 18 hours.

“These outages affect not only households but also government offices, schools and hospitals,” said a local.

The residents said that Shangla generated 80 megawatts of electricity from the Khan Khwar Dam, which was more than sufficient for the region’s actual demand of just 7 megawatts. However, the district remains in darkness due to ongoing issues with the power distribution system, they added.

They said that the construction of the Ranyal

Dam has led to the drying up of water channels used for irrigation, leaving thousands of acres of farmland barren.

“The once-lush green fields have turned into arid wastelands, while local watermills and small hydro-power stations have dried up, depriving the community of essential resources,” said a local resident, adding the power generated from these water sources was being supplied to other part of the country, leaving Shangla’s residents without access to their natural resources.