Consumers in urban areas face power outages of 10 hours daily

After a brief spell, it is back to usual way for consumers as power outages once again soared from 8 to 10 hours daily in urban areas. For the last 24 hours, loadshedding has once again increased substantially amid rising mercury level. Nevertheless, the present level of electricity loadshedding is far better if compared with rampant outages spanning over 14 to 16 hours that were being carried out about a month ago.
Comparative improvement in electricity supply is being attributed to steps taken in the energy summit that was held last month in Islamabad. According to an official of Mepco, currently nine interruptions of one hour each in electricity supply were being done in urban areas while consumers in rural areas have to face 11 hours suspension in power supply. On the other hand, nine hours loadshedding is being carried out in commercial centres. Export-oriented textile industry has been able to avoid loadshedding as continuous availability of electricity is being ensured.
Tubewells are being supplied electricity with 11 interruptions and non-stop supply of electricity during 12pm to 6am. As many as 12-hour shutdown in power supply to furnaces is being done with closure between 5pm to 5am. Four mills are being supplied electricity with nine interruptions of one hour each.
Meanwhile, consumers have demanded of the authorities concerned to announce load management plan. Mazhar Javed, a resident of Gulberg colony (Multan) said we have no knowledge about cuts in power supply. In fact, he added, suspension in electricity supply could be expected anytime given the precarious nature of power crisis in the country.
However, he argued, consumers will be in better situation if they know extent of power outages during 24 hours. "I can better organise my daily routine in line with availability of electricity," he said, terming prudent energy management a key to lessen adverse impact of power crisis. Shehzad Riaz, a resident of Garden Town, said managers of electricity concerns should have knowledge about power demand and supply situation in the country.
He continued to say that water supply could also be streamlined in line with revise load management plan. "Some times there is electricity supply available, but no water in tap, and when Wasa started supplying water, there is no electricity for running pumps," the perplexed electricity consumer observed.