Karachi is sweltering under intense heat, with load shedding durations now stretching up to 14 hours in some areas, severely impacting daily life and causing widespread frustration among residents.
Areas and Impact
Residents of Korangi, Landhi, Lyari, Surjani, Orangi Town, New Karachi, and Baldia Town are enduring power outages lasting between 12 to 14 hours. Other affected areas, including Liaquatabad, FB Area, Gizri, Malir, Garden, Memon Goth, Mauripur, North Nazimabad, and North Karachi, face up to 12 hours of load shedding. Even in the upscale neighborhoods near Defence, such as Qayyumabad, Shadman Town, Surjani, and Queens Road, power cuts have reached 10 hours.
Business Disruptions
The extended power outages have also hit Karachi’s commercial sectors hard. Markets like Jami Cloth, Kazim Market, and Iqbal Market are experiencing load shedding during business hours, disrupting trade and causing financial losses for merchants.
Public Frustration
Citizens and traders alike are expressing their frustration. They allege that K-Electric, the city’s primary power supplier, is attributing the increased load shedding to technical faults, in addition to the already scheduled and unscheduled outages. Many have complained about the unresponsiveness of K-Electric’s helpline, further aggravating their distress.
K-Electric’s Stance
K-Electric’s spokesperson maintains that electricity is being supplied according to schedule and denies any irregularities in their operations. However, their website does confirm scheduled load shedding of up to 10 hours in various parts of the city.
Conclusion
The prolonged power outages during an intense heatwave have made life unbearable for Karachi’s residents. As complaints grow louder and frustrations rise, there is an urgent need for more effective management and communication from the city’s power providers to alleviate the hardships faced by its citizens.
