Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) has set up 18 'nerve centres' in all towns to handle rain-related emergencies in the metropolis. Additionally, the corporation also opened its 96 maintenance centres round-the-clock with necessary equipment and staff would be work under a senior official.
Sources told Business Recorder on late Friday night that the corporation has prepared a comprehensive rain plan with standard operating procedures (SOP) to be followed if rain hit the city again.
Interestingly, the first downpour with dust storm hit the city, the Karachiites experienced overnight power outages on Thursday night which continues till Friday afternoon. As many as 25 grid stations and over 300 feeders were tripped at 1922 hours, immediately after the first rain shower. At 2055 hours, 23 grid stations were energised and at about 2105 hours all 25 grid station were supplying power but unfortunately the remaining 120 feeders took 0330 hours to start electric supply.
The source said for safety purposes the power utility switched-off grid stations after the first shower. At about 10.15pm, the Bin Qasim Power Plant's unit no. 5 tripped due to technical reasons that increases the power shortage from existing 145MW to 275MW suspended the supply to many localities. The city is going through a power shortfall of 275MW, as the demand touched 2290MW during its peak hours while supply remains at 1960MW. The power utility immediately opted for group-wise load-shedding in its five groups.