Dip in temperature causing unscheduled power cuts in Ramadan

BUDGAM — Ahead of Ramadan, the Budgam Power Development Department (Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited) had resorted to unscheduled power cuts for the last month after crucial winter in both metered as well as non-metered areas, however the power cuts are back as the holy month of Ramadan has begun.

The power crisis in Budgam villages has become a recurring phenomena owing to the fact that the Power Department has failed to enhance its transmission capacities to meet the demand for electricity in winter months when the temperature plummets below 0° Celsius.

From north to south Kashmir, consumers are complaining about frequent power cuts, mostly during the peak hours of Iftari and Sehri. Reports of power outages are being received from across the Kashmir division.

Apart from Budgam, people from north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts claim that the power cuts have intensified from the last week due to which they have to spend maximum hours in darkness.

The problem is severe in villages, where the consumers face prolonged curtailments without any announcement of the schedule. Power cuts, therefore, have become a cause of concern for students whose education is now dependent on digital devices, due to COVID-19 and need electricity. Their studies get hampered due to frequent unavailability of power supply.

“It is very difficult to concentrate on our studies without power supply. On the one hand, the government is imposing lockdown on our studies and tuitions while on the other hand, they are not even able to provide uninterrupted power supply, so that we can study,” said a group of students of Budgam.

AXEN PDD Budgam, Mohd Hussain Shah while explaining the reason for power curtailment said that electricity demand has doubled during peak hours due to dip in the temperature, which has resulted in the use of more electric heating gadgets and eventually increase in electricity consumption.

“Last week when the weather had improved, we were supplying 150 Amperes to the Jawalapora belt and 200 Amperes to the Bemina belt. However, the same belts are consuming 300 Amperes and 400 Amperes of electricity from last few days as most of the people are using heating gadgets,” he added.

“We would have no option other than to implement a power curtailment schedule if the demand of consumers increase,” added Shah.

Shah requested to the people of the valley not to use heating gadgets during Iftari and Sehri hours, which can help in saving electricity for those who eat in darkness. Besides, the this holy month preaches us the same teachings.