Prolonged power outages return to haunt public

Rawalpindi: All claims by the government to overcome loadshedding have dashed to the ground as drastic fall in power generation for some days has forced the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) to carry out prolonged loadshedding of 10 to 16 hours in majority of areas of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Chashma nuclear power plant has stopped generating electricity after developing some technical faults few days ago.

On the other hand, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has claimed a major difference in demand and supply, therefore consumers facing forced loadshedding for some days. For the past three days people have been experiencing power outages for more than 12 hours.

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) spokesman Raja Asim Nazir admitting all facts and figures told ‘The News’ that they are facing drastic fall in power generation for some days therefore consumers are facing forced loadsehdding. “Secondly, we are also facing some major faults in main supply lines and power plants. Situation will improve in coming days,” he hoped.

A key post official from Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) on condition of anonymity told ‘The News’ that Chashma nuclear power plant has stopped generating electricity after developing some technical faults. He said that Chashma Power Plant and some other supply lines tripped because of unbearable load. Majority of grid stations also stopped functioning because of unbearable load as public has started using air conditions, air coolers day and night, he added.

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) Superintendent Engineer (SE) Rawalpindi Circle Muhammad Zakir Awan said field staff was working day and night to resolve this issue, he said.

The residents of Rawat, Adiala Road, Committee Chowk, Mohanpura, Raja Bazaar, Naya Mohallah, Pirwadhai, Barra Market, Moti Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Tulsa, Jhanda Chichi, Sarafa Bazaar, Gawalmandi, Iqbal Road, Dhoke Ratta, Ratta Amral, Dhoke Hasu, Kashmiri Bazaar, Narankari Bazaar, Dhoke Kala Khan, Saidpur Road, Asghar Mall Scheme, Chur, Satellite Town, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Faizabad, Shamsabad, Kohinor Mills, Westridge, Lalazar, Chaklala Scheme-III, Bostan Khan Road, Morgah, Saddar, Mandra, Sihala, Model Town and several other localities in Rawalpindi while residents of Sectors F-6, I-8, I-9, I-10, G-6, G-7, G-8, G-11, G-9, Fruit and Vegetable Market I-11, Karachi Company and adjoining areas were the most hit.

The residents of affected localities are also facing water shortage as all filtration plants have stopped working due to prolonged power loadshedding.